After divorce, first date in 40 years.................advice needed, please.

[ANewDoll]

Divorced XH at the end of 2010 after nearly 40 years together (because of OW). 18 months on, I am emerging from a dark hole of despair and want to live my life again!

I have recently been asked out by someone I have known casually for the last year or so. We get on well but this "date" puts a completely different complexion on things!

The date is next week and I am a little anxious about the correct protocol for the occasion (especially when the evening is over) e.g. do I offer to split the bill, is it a peck on the cheek for a goodnight kiss, who makes the first contact after the date, etc. etc.? Help!!!!!!!!

Any advice offered will be gratefully received by this 60 year old who has not dated for 40 years!

Another quick update!

All going very well at the moment - he is sweet and caring and has the ability to make me laugh. We are fortunate in that we can see each other 5 to 6 times a week and so are really "seizing the moment"! Just holding hands with him while walking down the street makes me realise what I have missed during the last few years of an empty, loveless marriage.

I am not sure how the next "level" of our relationship will pan out but as he says, one step at a time and see how things develop.

I am happy and content.

Good news - long may it continue

Another one saying she's happy for you.

Awww...it's soooooooo nice to read this lovely thread!
Anewdoll....Im so happy for you! Just goes to show....life can get good again after 40y of marriage and going through divorce.....may it just continue!
Im 51...at last met a kind sweet man....didnt know this sort of friendship/love existed....but it's slow steps....I'm embracing it.... x

Another quick update (for anyone interested).

It is still all going very well. He is caring, kind, lovely, gentle, a wonderful companion and he absolutely adores me!

But it is early days yet, (this is my logical brain speaking) and I have a fear of throwing myself 100% into this relationship. Is it the fear of getting hurt again? I feel that it is not really fair to him but he understands that my pain from my divorce and my XH's betrayal is still so raw that it will be a slow path to recovery.

Any advice / views on this would be greatly appreciated.