Just when you think you've got things handled...

Oh crap!

My dad issues are affecting my dating life!!

I mean I was aware I had some "dad issues" but I I thought I had worked through those in these past few years. And, please don't get me wrong I love my dad! I think we get along quite well now, but apparently there's some stuff I gotta look at...sigh

Let me take you back to last week's date that triggered all this...

I was finally meeting up with the Canadian librarian who I had met on Tinder.

We had been exchanging messages for a couple of weeks over the holidays, as we were both were busy traveling or booked with family in town, so it was finally time to meet up.

Our messages had been light & easy, starting off with the usual asking of the basics. Where we then moved into more witty banter. 

His flirting had an intellect to it that sparked my interest.

I've always found an educated man to be sexy. He doesn't have to know everything about everything but if he's got a passion & loves to share his knowledge in it - hot!

I was really looking forward to this date.

Pre-date giddiness, feelin pretty

We were meeting up at a small lil neighborhood wine bar he picked, which sounded casual & cozy.

I always love to let my girlie side show & decided to go with a dress & heels.

Always heels!

LA is a city overrun with short men & I gotta know early on how high a heel I can get away with, cuz I ain't giving them up ;)

One thing I have learned from my Tinder dates, if their pics are mostly waist & up, they will be shorter than me...they have ALL been shorter than me.

(This may be where Tinder falls short since their stats aren't listed, its kinda a crap shoot)

Sure, yeah, you can make the argument of falling for their personality is more important but if you can't get attracted while bending down for a kiss, I'm not sure you ever will.

Ok, so yes, he fell into the shorter than me category, but possibly eye level without heels, so not giving up hope yet.

We get our glasses of wine. He's a white wine guy. I'm a red wine gal.

Maybe we're the opposites attract type?

We start picking up & elaborating on conversations we had messaged about.

I quickly notice with every comment I make I am corrected.

But he's backing it up with facts & data, quoting obscure books & references, so kinda hot, right?

Have I mentioned he's a librarian?

I'm soaking up new information, I'm learning while on a date ~ very cool.

Until it keeps happening, with every topic! Even fashion!

I'm getting triggered, my combative-ness is starting to come out...not pretty Carlie, take a deep breath & hear him out.

I was trying really hard to not shut down mid-date. Yes, I had pretty much written him off as potential at this point, but I might as well enjoy the night, right?

But then I'd hear myself argue something back to him, like I had no control over my mouth!

Managed to survive through the conversations with a couple of glasses of wine & as he walked me to my car, he leaned in for the kiss - either he was on a different date than me or he get turned on by debating where he always wins.

I cringe to admit I kissed him back, seemed a quicker way out & as I pull away he suggests we do this again - seriously????

BUT

he says its up to me to invite him out & plan the evening

(I will leave my rant about gender roles & dating for a future post).

I say ok & quickly hop in my car, figuring I just dodged a 2nd date.

Of course he reaches out a couple of days later via text & I find myself even being combative & snarky in my responses. He does not bring out my best self!

Cut to a couple of days ago & I'm sharing this experience with my therapist

(yes, the therapist thing is happening now)

& in doing his brilliant job of holding the mirror up to me & making me actually look, he shows me how this gentleman's behavior was triggering my childhood reactions of dealing with my dad - who is always right...

And I reacted exactly how I used to as a child - dammit!

Instead of just listening, I was immediately forming judgements based on my past & writing him off.

Maybe he was anxious & was trying to impress, he suggested, but how would I know that if I'm not giving him a chance.

I cannot keep shutting down if its not how I "expect" it to be.

Sooooooo, I'm giving him a 2nd chance...while I currently feel this is against my better judgement, by Tuesday I will go into this open-minded, if anything for the practice & the experience of staying present

Christopher Reeve said "either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean."

I'm learning how to swim in the ocean, no more shutting down & playing it safe in the shallow end.

**Other Player's Update**

Going into the new year I was looking forward to meeting up with a couple of other suitors too, here's their latest...

The Restauranteur - has been benched due to a hernia, we'll see if he comes back swinging.

The Second time Around Guy - has also been out of play due to family health issues which took him out of town & between juggling when he's got his kid's, I feel we may never get that 2nd date in. We chat, but missing the in-person connection...

In the meantime, I'm just gonna hang my heart out there & go enjoy life!

Have a great week!!

xo