I’m not sure about the chemistry – was it just natural? Some of the most intense conversations I have ever had. I had two loves before this person – one when I was very young (early 20’s), and then my husband before he died seven years ago. After getting some dating experience, last summer’s man felt like natural love – where it’s just there and then you run with it. He seemed to have anger issues. Never even remotely physical, but he seemed to have a lot of estrangements in his life. He questioned some of my dearest friends, called a couple of them names (just in front of me). What bothers me to this day is that it just ended with a big splat and we never even tried to reconnect. That happened to me with my first love, and I regretted not giving him at least one more chance. I just don’t want to have regrets. I don’t know if we could have worked through it because we didn’t try. And he recently hinted that he was open to another chance.

I hear you on pleasing parents. My Mom tried to stick her nose in my business on this one, and I followed my therapist’s advice and am following my heart and conscience. I do think, though, that last summer’s man was really meeting a need, and maybe the most important one. I just wonder if walking it back is wise. But even now, several months later – it felt extraordinary.