The battery in my watch died.  So, I went to the repair shop to get a new one.

While I was there, I noticed that they had a nice selection of diamond rings on display.  Since I had not looked at diamond rings in many years, I had no idea what they now cost.  And, since I was thinking that I might need to purchase one in the near future, it would be good to know a ball park price.  So, I priced them just to see.

Unfortunately, I have thought about marriage with every woman that I have seriously dated.  Time will tell.

I always have a hard time judging a relationship.  What I perceive as a great relationship might not be in her eyes.  And because of that fact, it could go sour in a matter of minutes.  And, it has. So, I am a little gun shy when it comes to discussing long term commitments because she might not be interested.

I once dated a woman who had Herpes.  And while they were just Cold Sores, I had to ask myself if I really wanted to be infected.

Ultimately, my love for her out weighted my Herpes fear and I was willing to be infected.  And while I was never infected, I was willing to take the risk just for her love.

And, while we are apart after all of these years, I am still madly in love with her and willing to take that risk.

And you?

Blessed are the self-righteous for they have already achieved perfection.  Always keep that in mind when you are dating people who view you in a lesser light.

For some people, everything is either black or white but no gray.  Unfortunately, most of life is gray.  Because of this, black and white people have a lot of trouble dealing with reality.

So, if you are not a black and white person but dating one, it will be a challenge.  And, if you are a black and white person and dating a black and white person, it could be a disaster if you don’t agree as neither of you will compromise.

When a relationship is finished, you need to have closure.  Closure is your way of accepting that the relationship is finished.  With out closure, you will hang on to the remotest possibility that the relationship will somehow be restored.  And, when this happens, your life hangs in limbo with no chance of moving forward.

When ever a relationship ends, there is always a certain amount of stuff that is left at your residence.  Some of it is left accidentally while some is left intentionally.  What ever the reason, the stuff must be returned.

Of course, just doing a dump and run is probably the least painful course of action.  You put everything into a couple of bags and leave them on her porch.  And, with any degree of luck, you won’t run into your former whatever.  But, if that doesn’t work, you will need to arrange for a drop off day and time.  But, regardless of the method, you need to get rid of her stuff if you ever hope to have closure.

When a relationship ends, there is always the question of what to do with the gifts that you have received.  Personally, if they are something that I could use, then I hang onto the gifts as long as they don’t have too much sentimental value.  But, if they are books that I never asked for or picture frames for that special moment in that special place, I get rid of them.

After all, this person has left my life so why would I want to keep a reminder of them?  So some goes into the trash, some goes to Goodwill and some ends up in a garage sale.  Of course, the danger of getting rid of the gifts is that you might reconcile in your relationship.  And, if that should happen, you might find your self having to give an accountability.  But, if you are sure that the relationship is finished. then dispose of the gifts in any manner that you see fit.

When ever a relationship ends, there is always the question about gifts that were given.  Or more specifically, should you return them?

Personally, if something was given as a gift then you should not expect to have it returned.  And I think that it is extremely rude to ask for a gift to be returned.  After all, if you really did not want the person to have the gift, then you should never have given it as a gift in the first place.

Women often like celebrating your birthday.  Unfortunately, whenever they say that want to make your birthday “special”, it usually means that they are getting ready to dump you.  And, because they are getting ready to dump you, they make extra efforts to please you on your birthday.   That way, you will think nice thoughts about them long after they are gone.  And, if you happen to receive a picture frame as a birthday gift, you can cut your losses and move on.