Date tomorrow - stupidly nervous

[Astarael]

Hoping this will be a safe judgement free zone (it's always seemed it from my lurking).

I've got a date tomorrow (OLD) and I'm really nervous. I'm hoping for advice on HOW to date.

Background is I'm two years out of an abusive marriage. I have done a lot of OLD since but for hook ups mainly. I had a 4 month relationship last year which I finished because I realised I was in it more out of fear of being alone than because he was the right person. He was absolutely lovely and restored my faith that there are nice men out there, he just wasn't the right one for me.

I've got to a point where I enjoy my life with my daughter, family, friends and hobbies and would only want to change things if something exceptional came along. So I think I am in the right place mentally to date again. However, I'm not sure quite how.

For example, if it goes well tomorrow - how do I indicate I'm interested in a way that doesn't involve throwing myself at him? I really don't know how 'normal' people behave on dates. Does no kiss at the end indicate they don't like you? How do I even flirt?

I'm really sorry if this sounds stupid!

Sounds like you're in a great place OP, but my advice would be to not rush into anything too soon. Just be yourself - what else can you do? At the end, thank him for a lovely evening (if it was)! and he wants to see you again, he'll ask you. Whether he tries to kiss you or not depends on where you are really - eg. he probably won't in the middle of a restaurant!

Thanks Fizzy! I think the fact that there's been such a long lead up to the date (due to it being my first available evening since he asked me out) has added to my worry. I just get worried I'll inadvertently do something against dating 'etiquette' because I'm such a newbie!

Because I'm not aware of the dating timeline so to speak I don't want to seem either too eager or too indifferent either. Like I said, I'm happy to go with the flow and am in absolutely no hurry. Just not sure how to convey that without seeming distant so to speak.