200 Dates in One Year

Did my title totally get you?

I do crazy things but trust me this is nothing I plan on doing anytime soon. I don't think there are 200 single lds men in my 50 mile radius within the 38 - 48 age range I could date or would want to date. Wow that upper range is getting up there - am I sure about that range?

This morning as I was driving to work I saw a truck with the back window that said Visit 200dates. I tried to get a glimpse of the driver and I just saw his arm. So I of course took a break earlier today and went to the site. Funny posts. Check it out.

However, it is something I have been thinking about. Dating that is but not X amount of dates in one year. Just about where does one find someone to date. Internet, church, friends, shopping center, a make shift bar at a hotel lobby? Tried them all and have some memorable memories and some regrettable ackward moments.

I think this has been on my mind as I am getting older and I had a conversation with my sister in law within the last week. All of my single friends I am sure have had the conversation every now and then with a family member about who you are dating or the lack of dating. Lately my youngest niece has been inquiring too.

When I was younger I would get the "you need to date someone find a husband so you can have a family". I would smile and think, really? I had two hurdles I didn't believe in marriage (fear of committment and fidelity)  and I certainly couldn't believe I could find someone to marry. Now I am more open to the thought of marriage thanks to a friend challenging me to be open to it and a General Conference talk.

Now that I am older as I prepared for my surgery I thought huhm maybe a husband would be great to have at this time. I found myself wanting the encouragement, support and blessings from a husband (can't believe I typed that..tearing down walls). Don't get me wrong I have great supportive friends but I realized that I didn't have that one person I could just go home to and share my fears and feelings and get that comfort that sometimes our friends can't give us because we are unwilling to burden them with our feelings. 

So back to when my sister in law and I were talking. She mentioned that she just wanted me oh wait she said the kids worry about me and want me to have that special someone and she wont be good company in 20 years, it kind of got to me. Well for a couple of reasons.

• I don't want my family to worry about me over this. Yes, I am happy and yes I worry too but really do they need to worry - I love them so much and I don't like them to worry about me.
• I would like to find that special someone it is just difficult to find someone
• I don't want to go to their weddings as a single aunt or as my friend Perri would say an old spinster

So what do I do? Definitely not ready to take on the 200 dates in one year challenge. However, I do know there is one important thing I need to do.

• I can't be spending time with someone who is not in the same mindset or even a member of my church, if what I really want is a temple marriage with a worthy priesthood holder.
• Keep up with the posts on the 200dates website as it may give me courage.
• Stop listening to zappy country songs;
• Post on the 200dates website and offer to go on a date - oh wait that defeats my first bullet.
• Set up a goal of 9 dates in 2012

OK seriously just my thoughts about what has been on my mind and thought I would share - check out the website it seriously is funny.