I've added a new rule for when I am on a date.

"Never mention you have plans after your date."

No matter how innocent those plans may be; no matter if it's a good friend (Hoagus) who needs a shoulder... even though you deferred them for the date in the first place... even though you may want to invite the date to meet your good friend... even though - SAY NOTHING! Don't invite them. Don't try to impress them by saying you put off your friend for them. Don't bother trying to convince them that they're just a friend and no! you're not sleeping with them even if it isn't their business because this was the very first date. Just. Don't. Do. It.

Can you hear the venom? Yeah, I know. I'm better off without. Whatever! But... the thing is though, I really liked him (whine)... and I thought he really liked me (whine). We flirted endlessly and even touched as we did. We held hands during the movie. (I know! Sweet, right?) We talked for hours and then the next day... nothing. He even said the date was going "swimmingly."

*sigh*

Yeah, yeah... I know.

Why do we have to have these rules? Why can't we just be who we are, faults and everything? I guess we could just be who we are and let the chips fall where they may. Wasn't meant to be... isn't that what everyone says? And yet, we still have these "rules" that we cleave to. Make sure to look your very best. Don't mention the ex. Don't sleep with them on the first date.

And who came up with THAT rule in the first place? Even though it's a good one to adhere to... (H. even says he respects no girl who gives it up on a first date... and H. always tries to get it on the first date.) But then, we don't always follow our self-imposed list of rules, do we? And sometimes, when we do, it still doesn't help is in the pursuit of finding that mate. That One.

And who the Hel said there was supposed to be One? Why can't it be several Ones? I'm a firm believer that people come in and out of our lives for a reason... whether it's for comfort, or a lesson, or just to reflect to you who you really are... isn't that what the One is, too? Just like your sister, or your mom, or your dad is a One? It is with these beings of light in our lives that make us who we are, right? To test our limitations... to share with us all our hopes and dreams and emotions. Can't the One we seek be more than One? Maybe a lifetime of Ones? And if you think about it... aren't most of those Ones given? Or do you think that some of the Ones in our lives are meant to be sought after?

Either way, if you think about it... if you do want that One... you have to be yourself, faults and everything... because you're gonna be with that One for as long as the Universe lets you, which could end up being a really long time. So, yeah... we might have these rules for ourselves that for the most part, we follow, but when that One does show up... the One the Universe has ready for you... the One that is there to teach you something about yourself... all those rules will go right out the window.