hahah! (To be clear, I'm ha-ha-ing the comment about the venomous ex, not the heartfelt sentiments after that;) ). I so agree that these are 'difficult, but important, stories'. I'd actually add the adjective 'necessary'. We probably need to know each other's stories.

I think...early on in dating I did seek and value the connection I made with wonderful men who were not ready for a committed relationship. They've become friends over the years. I guess...for me, there's a saturation point. If I end up with a huge stash of 'people I've connected with' yet am still paddling down 'the river' alone...I don't know. I can't help but wish to...have someone to be in my boat, not just keep encountering other boats on the same river...How many people can you 'be there for', can you connect with over their pain before...your boat is tipped over? Good grief (or as your 8-year-old would say, 'dammit!;)), me trying to pull off some deep analogy is a bust. I'm just saying...I'm further down the river now, so it's getting harder to harder to connect with someone whose hurt and struggles are recent and still raw, yet they so need connection...