steadychevy - thanks for the suggestion. We actually talked about that very thing. Her experience in the dating world has been she discovered things about the men she dated that made her hesitant to get any more attached. She admits that something is very different about our relationship. When she hit the "run away" stage, she argued with herself and she won the argument. I keep meeting her checkboxes for safety and whatnot. I've met a couple of the men she dated and while good guys, were not really stable or established in a careers and were more about fun, not about having a great life.
I know she hasn't dated anyone of my maturity and stability. She says she's never been treated with the kind of respect I treat her with and I don't believe she's been treated like a lady in many years. As the pandemic restrictions loosen in my part of Colorado, we have more opportunities for actual dates but still enjoy being "foodies" together. She gave me some ideas about the ergonomics in my kitchen and food prep gets easier every day (I have a fantastic kitchen for cooking) and since I was the main cook for most of my marriage, it's not hard to keep that going.
Both of us had a couple of "what the?" moments when were referred to as boyfriend and girlfriend by other folks we were with when the the other wasn't with us. I suggested that I had not been referred to as a 'boy' for many years and wasn't sure what I thought of that. She suggested that maybe we could be lifetime adventure partners with the implication that we hope to be together for a lifetime. I like that.
We are both consenting adults and just like the other night dancing, realize it is sort of silly to try and hide the relationship. This has been good for both of us. I give her stability and fun. She gives me a chance to act the age I feel, not my chronological age and the fun has been more than I expected. I am doing things away from her that I never would have continued to do like several hour solo mountain bike rides - complete with scrapes and bruises from riding too fast or on stuff too technical - working out at the gym regularly, talking to strangers, getting more engaged socially with co-workers, opening up about my life with friends and not worrying so much about tomorrow. Also, did I mention that I am within 5 pounds of the weight I was when I graduated from college 35 years ago? Good nutrition and activity!
It's all good. Tonight I'm off to have dinner with a former sister-in-law and playing music with her and her husband. Looking forward to it!
3 adult sonsMarried 32 years. DDay1 - June 2016, DDay 2 - April 2017, Final DDay - May 2020. Divorced - January 2021
Life is Good!