When a Girl Likes a Boy

What does she do, especially if she close to fifty,and has been celibate and single forever?  For the last month I've pined from afar, planned imaginary outings to invite him to and hoped he would call or email. I looked forward to seeing him whenever he was around.  I turned to my two resident experts on men, Sam and Ben, for advise.  I know what you are thinking, but I swear since surgery my brain doesn't work the same.


"What do you think about me writing to .... and telling him I like him?"


"Mom don't you think it's up to the boy to decide and then ask the girl?"  replied Ben, expert # 1.  Really, sometimes I wonder where he came from.  This from the boy whose pockets were full of love notes from girls on Valentines day.  But then again, he doesn't have a girlfriend.


Having much more faith in my older son, I went in search for him.  Samuel, who's actually had a girlfriend or two, replied, "I'd be flattered Mom, really."  That's what I was looking for until he mumbled, "but I'd find a nice way to let her know that I didn't feel the same". 


Feeling let down by my experts, I did what I wanted to do before talking to them, and I sent an email, brief and to the point. After all what did they know, both are just kids.

Dear ....,

This is very hard to write, but if I were standing in front of you I'd be socially awkward, sweating like crazy and blushing furiously. I like you as a friend but also in a "girl likes boy" kind of a way. I don't play games and have no clue how to flirt, so I am taking a chance by writing this to you. I don't want to be hurt, but I want to get to know you better. If you don't feel the same way, no worries, but please be kind. Anne

PS I know you are busy, but I am very low maintenance! We are both busy and I am a very independent person.

And then I waited.  And waited, feeling more embarrassed as each day passed.  What was I thinking?  I am not good at this.  Sunday morning I woke up feeling energized and ready to write a Blog about my stupidity with the opposite sex when I finally received a response.

Anne you have made my day!! What a great email to wake up to! Thank you for the compliment. It has been great getting to know you through ......, talking at the ....., having dinner, and going for our walk (I did take the boys for a bike ride on that path the other day and we did go to get ice cream) it was very nice.   All my friends are dear to me. At this time though I am really not looking for anything too serious in a relationship. I have learned that I too am a very independent person and really do better on my own. So please continue to ask me to go for a walk or to a ...............   

Hope this makes sense and look forward to doing something together soon.

Fondly,  .....

A response and a nice one at that.  So it isn't a love match, which is great because I wasn't looking for one.  It was even better, a friend, a nice friend.  It doesn't mean I won't still admire his blue eyes, but now I'll admire the eyes of a friend and know that behind those eyes is a thoughtful kind person who happens to be a boy.