[misstozak]

What is it with men? How are they so very different from us women? No matter how sweet, how kind, how considerate, how mature or even how vulnerable they may be themselves. They just don’t seem to get it. Or do they?

Despite how independent a woman may appear or actually be, in our hearts we remain very vulnerable. We trust and we want to believe the sweet talkin’ guy. While we may no longer want a man to tell us where to hang the pictures on the wall we still want a man to tell us other things. And to mean what they tell us.

For instance, I really like you because…I find you attractive because…I am so happy I met you because…or just, simply, I love you.

I’m Janet Darling and I came here to The Villages not looking for a new love but escaping from an old one. I didn’t even think I’d want to look at another man again let alone do any kind of icky thing like touching one. Then, the miracle of chemistry took over.

I had joined Match.com a while back because, while I was not ready to meet someone new, I still didn’t want Mr. Right to pass me by in the unlikely event he existed. What a plethora of men there are out there! But did I want a long haired biker studded with tattoos or did I want some other kind of man? I chose another kind and I met him last Saturday night up at the Spanish Springs Town Square. I must confess, while I am not a cougar, I have him beat by almost 10 years.

Talk about being swept off my feet! A foot taller than me, handsome, charming and speaking a soft southern drawl all the while professing to be the real thing. Or, rather, the real “thang.” But is he really “real”? Carrie Bradshaw called her major romance “Big” but I think I’ll call my potential one “Cowboy.” And not just because of those great boots he was wearing but because the very next afternoon he brought over a huge porterhouse steak to grill on my barbie and all the fixins” to go with it. He was all smiles and a great chef and he knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it.

We spent a lot of time talking and a fair amount of time cooking and eating but some real quality time was spent kissing and enjoying those very first romantic moments. It wasn’t so icky after all considering I could hardly catch my breath. I feel in my heart that I am 18 years old again and also feel all the vulnerability that goes with it. In my head I realize that you should never rule out romance as a possibility no matter how old you get.

I hardly know this Cowboy, not even a week yet, but he’s got me going for sure. He texts, he calls, he wants to see me again. But does he know in his heart the fragility of mine? And how easily, or casually, it can be broken? Does he get it? Time will tell, ladies. As I am sure, you all know.

So I need a Samantha! I need a Miranda! And I need a Charlotte. I am certain The Villages has more than one of each of these beautiful, vibrant women. I would love to hear your stories and I will keep you posted on mine.