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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dumped after two great dates...

258 replies

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 08:26

My very first dating experience since separating from my emotionally neglectful exH and it's fucking broken me.

We'd messaged every day on a dating app for a week or so. Great banter. He asked me out for a coffee. We met up and it was lovely, lots of chatting and laughing, no awkward silences, seemed like we had loads in common. We hugged at the end and swapped numbers. He WhatsApped me that same evening to say he'd had a great time with me. More messaging. He asked me out for a second time. We met again a week later. Same again. He held my hand, stroked my arm, put his arm round me, we kissed goodbye... WhatsApped me again the same evening to say he'd had fun. Nothing for 24 hours. Then this:

Hey, I've been thinking about this a lot, and I wanted to be honest with you. I've had a great time getting to know you, but I don't feel like this is going to work for me going forward. I wish you all the best in the future.

"All the best for the future" like I've been rejected from a fucking job interview!? Then:

I understand you are disappointed. I just feel like we are looking for different things and it wouldn't be fair to you to carry on seeing each other when I can't see a future. This wasn't an easy decision, but I feel it is the right one.I am sorry.

I'm gutted. I stupidly fell hard and fast but I thought it was mutual. I certainly wouldn't have bloody kissed him if I'd known I was never going to see him again! He thinks it's too early days for me apparently and doesn't want to be a part of my divorce process. I wasn't expecting him to be! I feel like he's giving up on something potentially great because of something bad that might happen. I naively thought that it was pretty rare to have genuine chemistry with someone you met OLD and so this just seems like a waste.

I don't know why I'm posting other than to stop myself messaging him to ask him to reconsider. Which definitely isn't going to help is it.

He's also now blocked me on WhatsApp and unmatched me on Hinge. Which makes me feel like I've done something really wrong 😔

OP posts:
Josephinesnapoleon · 18/08/2024 11:43

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:42

I suppose it's hard to convey here, because I'm coming across as a red flaggy rebounding bunny boiler, probably rightly so. But in person, the physical intensity was on both sides. Obviously you have to take my word for it but. I didn't get swept up for nothing.

Op it wasn’t, I’m sorry but you need to accept that. The man’s not interested and didn’t want to see you again. So no it was one sided.

Golden407 · 18/08/2024 11:43

xyz111 · 18/08/2024 09:45

"I understand you're disappointed ". This would give me the ick anyway. Who does he think he is?!

Well she is disappointed?

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:44

Edingril · 18/08/2024 11:38

It was 2 dates!

He has nothing wrong but I am starting to think you could get benefit from professional help

That's a little cruel

OP posts:
beautifultrama · 18/08/2024 11:44

Firenzeflower · 18/08/2024 10:50

Pompous twat. You have had a Lucky escape.

😂😂😂

The guys done nothing wrong. The OP has gone in head first and fell for someone after 2 dates then asked him to explain himself when he didn't want to pursue it further..
But it's the guys fault, always.

largeeyes · 18/08/2024 11:45

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:42

I suppose it's hard to convey here, because I'm coming across as a red flaggy rebounding bunny boiler, probably rightly so. But in person, the physical intensity was on both sides. Obviously you have to take my word for it but. I didn't get swept up for nothing.

It's perfectly possible for it to be one sided. Happened to me many times where a guy thought we got on amazingly and whilst I liked him as a person I didnt want to date him.

I've had men say this to me before and it absolutely was one sided. If it wasnt one sided then he would want to see you wouldnt he? the fact he's doesnt means it clearly WAS one sided.

You have created a version of him in your mind that isnt real.

ChristmasFluff · 18/08/2024 11:46

OP, Natalie Lue has a great book that really helped me - "The Dreamer and the Fantasy Relationship". I think it would really help you.

turnips4u · 18/08/2024 11:48

ChristmasFluff · 18/08/2024 11:46

OP, Natalie Lue has a great book that really helped me - "The Dreamer and the Fantasy Relationship". I think it would really help you.

Yes, this is an excellent book and I think it describes the OP perfectly.

No judgement as I've been there too but it does explain very well how this can happen- that you create something in your mind that isnt actually there

FriendsDrinkBook · 18/08/2024 11:48

OLD is just like this op. I had a great chat with a man for 2 evenings then he just stopped responding to my messages. He was probably just bored that weekend or something. Another got in touch , we went out once and he was keen , more so than I was really , then he just stopped responding to texts. I have another ten stories like this. You can't take it personally at all. It happens during OLD.

I'd abandon the account for a bit (and block 2 date guy) and gather yourself to see if you'd like to carry on.

Josephinesnapoleon · 18/08/2024 11:48

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:44

That's a little cruel

Actually I’m not convinced it is. I wa thinking the same, as will many others reading this, you’ve let yourself get very carried away, and still fantasising he felt the same, eve though you’ve concrete evidence to the contrary, you met this man twice, once just for coffee, nd you’re talking about falling for him, about how it had great potential,asking if he just moved on.

you are behaving like this was a relationship not just some bloke you met twice.

Dressinggowntime · 18/08/2024 11:50

You’re going to have to develop a thicker skin than this I’m afraid. I’d have just not replied to that message. Let him wonder how bothered you are. I got ditched after three months of dating a guy on OLD. He called me up and had quite a long speech prepared. I just said ‘You’re probably right, we’ve had a nice time though, good luck with everything’. Think he was shocked. I then went straight back on OLD and met my now dh a few months later.

betterangels · 18/08/2024 11:51

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:44

That's a little cruel

There's no shame in therapy. It's a good suggestion but perhaps read the suggested book first. If nothing else, it'll be cheaper.

Startrekkeruniverse · 18/08/2024 11:53

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:42

I suppose it's hard to convey here, because I'm coming across as a red flaggy rebounding bunny boiler, probably rightly so. But in person, the physical intensity was on both sides. Obviously you have to take my word for it but. I didn't get swept up for nothing.

“the physical intensity”

you had one kiss. I think you’ve probably come on too strong, you’ve had two dates and barely know eachother. his message was reasonable in my opinion and you need to move on.

MzHz · 18/08/2024 11:55

Right, @TriPopz ive only read your posts so not sure if anyone else has said this, but let’s put this date/guy to one side here for the moment, he’s irrelevant

let’s talk about you :)

your last relationship was with an emotionally abusive character. (I’ve been there, and made the long long journey away from unhealthy relationships)

until we’ve done the work on ourselves, we will be drawn to the same kind of people, and those controlling/abusive people will be drawn to us (and our vulnerability)

this guy has dangled a carrot in front of you and probably pushed a number of small boundaries along the way, he’s gone for an early discard and you’re hurt and upset.

this is a guy you DONT know. You’ve met him TWICE. Everything other than that is just smoke and mirrors potentially. Talk (and texts/calls) is cheap. He can tell you what he wants you to believe and you will hear what you want to believe.

you say you fell fast. My dear @TriPopz you shouldn’t have even missed a step, let alone fall.

i say again, this guy is a stranger. You don’t know him.

you know that an abuser takes between 18m to 2 years to let the mask fully slip, you have a vulnerability to controlling partners therefore it’s far more likely that if you think you have clicked with someone, that they are the same (or potentially worse) than your ex.

i went through phases of dating, phases of a break, but at the end i knew where my boundaries were and I NEVER compromised on them.

i had a list of hard no’s to dating - voted brexit, poor spelling/grammar, pictures of their kids on the profile, my kids are my world, called Dave.

yeah, seriously.

Then if we connect: muck me about in messages? Bin
blow me out last minute? Bin
come on too strong, too quickly? Bin

when I met my now partner (coming up for 8years now)
for the first 6m I never gave the relationship any gravity or seriousness in my head, it could implode at any moment, I could walk away and if he did, fair enough. Disappointed yes, but if this isn’t the one, the one would come along after

I saw myself grow and learn with every date I had. Each connection taught me so much. I knew early on that I needed to do some serious work to repair the damage done, to fix the vulnerability and to give myself a kind of force field of self esteem. I found that once I’d built this force field it actually kept a lot of potentially bad men away. The stronger I got, the fewer chancers I seem to have to deal with.

With my oh, we took things slow, took things light and simple. i only considered it to be more serious once we hit the 12 months mark.

you have to learn to detach, take things light, don’t commit to anything, don’t allow future faking by him or by you.

i realised that even if Mr Right rocked up on day 1, I would not be HIS Ms Right. I wasn’t ready.

you’re not ready yet, you need to kiss a few frogs, understand that you can have a safe relationship and end it as it’s no longer appropriate, or has no future

you’re interviewing for the best job in the world; to be your partner, so make sure you invest time into yourself to get stronger and in a place where you can be your best self, enjoy your own company and are happy in your own skin.

demand the best of yourself and for yourself.

oh and NEVER lose faith. Never ever lose faith in the fact that you deserve love and happiness.

MzHz · 18/08/2024 11:56

I also don’t like the block and unblock he’s done @TriPopz

hes pushing you away to reel you back in for a quick shag at a later date

you need to block HIM. don’t tell him either, just do it for yourself.

NEXT!

MzHz · 18/08/2024 11:58

ChristmasFluff · 18/08/2024 11:46

OP, Natalie Lue has a great book that really helped me - "The Dreamer and the Fantasy Relationship". I think it would really help you.

Natalie L is brilliant! She’s the author of Baggage Reclaim website isn’t she. Good recommendation

Didimum · 18/08/2024 11:59

I can sympathise, OP. Most of us have been there. But he has been respectful in being prompt and up front with his feelings – the alternative is ghosting which is even more wretched.

Well done for putting yourself out there. You’ve got an open heart and you want to find someone meaningful – all these are good things but will go hand in hand with some disappointment, some worse than others.

It was only two dates, so I think you’d benefit from practicing keeping your hopes down a notch for the first few weeks. I know it’s hard when you really like someone, but investing emotions in someone so very early is never a good idea – whether it works out or not. You simply don’t know them well enough to allow them to have your emotions like that.

I’ve always likened it to house hunting where you love a house on first viewing and see yourself living there and then get devastated when you’re outbid on an offer.

Bring your personality, kindness and intentions to early dating, don’t bring your emotions.

Thursdaygirl · 18/08/2024 11:59

I have been stood up in a pub (30 minutes after he messaged me saying that he couldn't wait to meet me), been cancelled on an hour before we were due to meet after I had got ready and arranged childcare and been ghosted a few times after meeting. There was one man that I really really liked. We went on 2 dates and kissed at the end of the 2nd one then was ghosted. If you aren't in a good place then you can feel quite hurt by it all and take it personally. Bit honestly don't. If everyone was right for everyone then we would all be in relationships with each other.

Even if you were in a good place, you’d be entitled to be a bit pissed off over any of the above!

Bobbotgegrinch · 18/08/2024 12:03

Gently @TriPopz , you've only been on two dates!

These should be about fact finding, about working out if you can stand to be in the same room in this bloke, if you're vaguely compatible, if you're attracted to him, and if he has any big stonking red flags. And yes, having a bit of a snog is part of that fact finding process, it doesn't mean anything deeper than that.

You can't start developing feelings yet, or imagining a future with him. That way madness lies.

He doesn't have anything to "move on from", he's only spent a few hours in your company. For whatever reason, he's seen a bit of a red flag around your divorce. Maybe you talked about it too much, or didn't seem to be over your ex. Or maybe it just seems like a bit too much drama for him. That's fine, he's allowed to fact finding just as much as you are.

So now you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, be thankful that you had a couple of enjoyable evenings out and go looking for the next ones. Or you decide you might be happier single for a while. Nothing wrong with either option.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/08/2024 12:04

After two dates a person is allowed to back out. Any person. Sometimes the more you get to know someone (even if you like them and get on great) the more it becomes clear that you just don't feel that type of attraction towards them.

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/08/2024 12:06

@Thursdaygirl

I was bit I texted my lovely friend who lives close to stood up date and I went round there. We had a great night with wine and a takeaway. Girlfriends are so much better (and more reliable) than these men!

Anywherebuthere · 18/08/2024 12:07

He did the right thing. He let you know quickly rather than wasting more of your time. The way he worded it wasnt right for you but I don't think you would be however it was said.

You sound way too upset for someone who just went out with this person twice. Is it possible he realised how much you liked him and it was too quick and put him off?

Try not to get too invested in people too quickly.

Otherstories2002 · 18/08/2024 12:11

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:32

Do we think he's just moved on without so much as a backwards glance then?

I know I'm taking it excessively hard. And mourning the idea of the thing rather than the actual thing. I honestly didn't expect to like anyone on OLD.

I don't think he's done anything bad or wrong or that he OWES me any kind of explanation. I know it's all on me.

I just needed a vent.

Honestly… your reaction isn’t proportionate which suggests he’s right. It’s too soon.

Starseeking · 18/08/2024 12:17

@Kbroughton that's also one of the reasons I don't get involved with separated people...divorces that drag out for too long and not wanting to be an emotional crutch, or pulled into the disagreements if it's a difficult one.

My life is calm and stress-free, and I want a partner who will add to it, not being drama to my life; been there, done that.

Prinnny · 18/08/2024 12:19

I think he sounds really sensible. You had two coffee dates and he wasn’t feeling it, for whatever reason, so has ended it rather than leading you on. I personally wouldn’t want to get involved with someone early in the divorce process and maybe you came across a little full on after two coffees, you do seem
super invested and intense which can be a turn off!

Starseeking · 18/08/2024 12:20

TriPopz · 18/08/2024 11:32

Do we think he's just moved on without so much as a backwards glance then?

I know I'm taking it excessively hard. And mourning the idea of the thing rather than the actual thing. I honestly didn't expect to like anyone on OLD.

I don't think he's done anything bad or wrong or that he OWES me any kind of explanation. I know it's all on me.

I just needed a vent.

Of course he has OP, you went on two dates.

And you DID feel he owed you an explanation initially; by your own admission you asked him for one. If you didn't feel it was necessary, you wouldn't have requested this.

Chalk this experience up as a nice memory, and move on. When your divorce is over and you've had some time to yourself, you'll be ready to meet a lovely man.