happy tears.
I'm a widow, my DC and I have had a tough few years, but we're pulling through, and for the last year I've been seeing a new man.
He's in no way attempted to be anything resembling a father figure, but he's been kind, interested and made an effort to chat appropriately with them when paths cross (boys, now early 20s).
It's his birthday today and I'm making dinner. Not only have both my boys willingly said they'll eat with us, but DS1 is enthusiastically helping with the arrangements, he's currently at the supermarket getting what I need to cook.
They could be hating the fact that I'm "moving on", but they're being so lovely, and making things very easy for me.
BTW, I stopped doing routine family dinners a long time ago because I never know who'll be in or if they have their own food planned. If I am cooking I ask if they want anything, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. BF will be expecting them to eat with us if they're here, we're going out afterwards.