I’ve been spending a lot of time focusing on what’s wrong or what’s so hard about dating a single father. Actually, I think that dating a single father is great in many ways. Since it’s Gratitude Month and Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I want to shift gears and focus on what is wonderful about him.
Seeing Tim with his kids is a true gift. If he didn’t have kids, I wouldn’t get to see these precious parts of him that are why I love him so much. He is responsible, confident and strong yet silly, sweet and oh so funny. He is loving and gentle with his two young daughters, a side of him that I may never get to see if he didn’t have kids. But he’s so much more than who he is with his kids.
First of all, he appreciates me. I think because of what he’s been through he knows what he wants and he never takes me for granted. He knows what it’s like to be in a bad relationship and is unwilling to go down that road again. He knows what he has is really good and he lets me know.
Besides the fact that he has the sense of humor of a twelve year old, he’s actually the most emotionally mature man I’ve ever dated. I could be totally wrong, but I think the responsibility of being a parent has forced him to grow up. He’s balanced and takes his parenting very serious.
He also takes being a good partner to me very seriously. Because he was married, he knows what it means to be in a committed relationship and he’s not scared of it. He’s hesitant to tie the knot again any time soon, but he’s not resistant to the idea. He just wants to make sure it’s really right this time. He knows what it takes to make a relationship work, even if his didn’t work out. He’s learned from his past mistakes and is committed to doing it differently in the future.
The best part is that he challenges me to be the best person I can be. He doesn’t always tell me what I want to hear, which is aggravating at times, but often what I need. He sees the big picture and wants what is best for me. He sometimes sees things in me that I am unable to see in myself. Because of this, the things I am doing in my life (starting this blog for one) I may not have had the courage to do. He helps me know my value and gives me the courage to step out of my comfort zone to put myself out there. There is something to the saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Right now I’m at a turning point in my life, stepping out of my cave and into the light. Without his support, I don’t know if it would have even occurred to me to do it.
This week, I’m going to express my gratitude to him and let him know how lucky I am to have him in my life.
Join me in expressing gratitude to the man in your life?
