Ashley Needles

So as my video (about not dating single dads) was uploading yesterday, I took Messy on a walk, during which we met a HOT single dad , his six-year-old daughter and their dog. As we talked he learned I'm nomadic, child-free and he still asked for my number... I hesitated but gave him the digits. Suspecting he isn't looking to settle down or for anything serious... My thoughts, it might be fun for a bit, maybe he'll be interesting, maybe I'll learn something through dating him... Suddenly today I realized the oddity in how I view dating compared to most people. I have no hope or expectations of long term. And maybe that's why my relationships are fleeting but deliciously sweet because I don't feel bitterness when things inevitably end. Or maybe my relationships have the shelf life of a ripe banana because as we parted ways I noticed a text from the guy who thinks I walk on water but lives 2 hours away... telling me to call him and so before I was even out of ear...

In one of my support groups, a woman posted about her ex giving her a guilt trip because the government gave his tax return to her for the back child support he owed.   Lately, as in for the last five years, I've been getting guilt trips because I've been fighting for what's legally mine. Those guilt trips tied my stomach in painful knots. Seeing her post I gave her some advice. The exact advice I've been needing to hear.  "You have to fight for what's yours in this world! There are going to be people telling you "You don't deserve it," trying to make you feel guilty or small, but you can't listen to that or let it get in your head. Hold your head high, because you're fighting for what belongs to you!" Though in that case I wrote, "belongs to your kid," but I adapted it for me. My next piece of advice one I've been giving just myself for several years now is, "When it comes to divorce or relationships the last t...