Since my head is still spinning too much with grief over what we did…how ’bout something a little less serious?

Dating: I’ve been in contact with another man sporadically over the past 5-6 weeks — sporadically, because I haven’t gone out of my way to return emails, really. He seems a bit more interesting the more I hear from him; his intelligence and humor are really shining through. He’s 40, divorced, and has 3 kids ranging from 11 to 15 — whom he describes in glowing terms. They live with him half-time. That sounds promising, especially since I’m starting to believe I’ll have luck with a man who has the maturity that raising kids can forge. My lunch date the other day (46 and never married) in some ways seemed like an overgrown 20-something.

Again, the optimism is dosed with a generous helping of caution. The Internet exists, and I have no qualms with using it to learn whatever I can about someone I might date…and a quick scan of public records tells me that it’s possible that his divorce (if final) is a bit too recent — I believe he and his ex still share title on a home. Not quite a red flag, but most certainly a yellow one. In my most recent response, I asked how long ago they divorced. How he replies will be just as telling as what he replies.

My match.com membership is now officially dead, so I’ve hidden my profile again — why bother if I can’t respond to any replies I get? If this one doesn’t pan out, the dating category will go stagnant pretty quickly!