I have noticed a phenomenon whereby people who would prefer to be in a relationship fall into one of two categories: they either remain single long-term with any forays into dating completely failing to get off the ground, or, regardless of whether they are widowed or divorced, they are back in a serious relationship within a year or two. In the latter group all relationships seem to naturally turn into committed partnerships. In the former group they never work out.
I have seen this time and time again amongst friends, family and acquaintances and, being in the former group myself, would love to know how to change things (although please, for the love of God, don't recommend on-line dating as if it's a new idea I won't have ever heard of).
I have been thinking about this as I recently bumped into an acquaintance who, the last time I saw her, had just lost her husband in a car accident. No sooner had I begun to ponder whether she had recovered from this shocking event and what state of mind she might be in, she told me about her new husband. Conversely, in the time that had elapsed since I previously saw her I've been on about three dates, none of which went anywhere.
Has anyone else noticed this?