Dating 2.0
When Lisa created her family rules shortly before her death, she wrote them for her three daughters. She wanted the girls to remain close and look out for each other during the difficult days that would lie ahead. However, Bruce realized immediately that Lisa’s rules were meant for his benefit as well. The last rule was unambiguous: . . . Support Dad when he is ready to date. He is going to need it. . . . Lisa wanted Bruce to find happiness again and did her part to make that possible. Early on, Bruce had no interest in dating and felt disloyal to Lisa for even wanting companionship. After the one-year anniversary of her death, and with Lisa’s explicit approval, Bruce reached out to an old friend who had offered to set him up. A lunch date was scheduled for the following week. As the date approached, Bruce began to doubt himself. That morning, he tried to stay busy around the office, but as lunchtime neared, he panicked. He hurried down the hallway toward the office of a co-worker with whom he had become close since Lisa’s death. “I can’t go through with it!” Bruce said as he burst through the door. “Whoa, what’s going on?” his friend asked. “I’m not ready for this. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. To go on an actual date!?! It’s too soon.” “Okay, just calm down. Have a seat and we’ll figure it out.” Bruce continued to pace around the room. “Seriously, how can I have lunch with another woman and act like it’s okay. It isn’t. I was with Lisa for almost twenty years. I don’t want to be with anyone else.” “I thought that she wanted you to date again.” “I know, I know. But how am I supposed to act … what am I supposed to talk about the whole time? That’s it. I’m not doing it.” Grabbing Bruce by the shoulders, his friend looked him in the eyes. “Get yourself together, man! I know this is hard, but you’ve got to calm down.