The Wisdom of Those Who Have Gone Before
This week’s newsletter is coming to you from sunny Puerto Rico! February in Chicago is brutal so four of my best friends and I decided to weather the storm from a warm, sunny, palm tree-filled island in the Atlantic Ocean.
As I was considering what to write about this week, it occurred to me that these four smart, beautiful, funny women all have their own dating experiences, good and bad, that evolved them to this stage of their lives; happily, comfortably married with ambitious, creative and kind children. So, this week I’m tapping into their collective relationship wisdom that has been earned through years of lived experience. When I asked them about their best of dating advice, here’s what they said:
Katie: Try something new. If you want to meet new people you need to do new things. Don’t be afraid to give somebody a chance even if you think they’re not your perfect match.
Sandy: There are bound to be annoyances in any relationship. Make sure early on that the things that bother you are tolerable because they are not likely to change with time. Marry someone because they are your best friend, not just because they make your toes curl in the bedroom.
Liz: Make sure you appreciate each other’s sense of humor. You don’t have to have the same sense of humor but honor each other’s way of being funny.
Laura: Don’t ignore the red flags, even if they are little. Trust your gut. Follow the “Three Date Rule” so each of you has time to reveal more of your true self.
While your first reaction may be to dismiss this advice because it comes from women who are far removed from the dating scene (in fact, not one has ever used a dating app), keep in mind that each of them have the same dating stories you do. The only difference is that they are on the other side of it. Each has learned and evolved to land where you want to land. Methods of connecting change but people don’t. So, hang in there and take heart from those who have gone before you.
Happy dating!
Christine
