With that being said, I want to pose a few questions: How important is to you that your spouse wears his or her ring every day? - If I was married it would mean a lot to me. It is supposed to be a symbol of our commitment.

Why is there such a difference in the way men feel about wearing their ring versus women?- Because women are emotional beings and you like to read into signs and the ring is a pretty hefty sign that there is a commitment made.

Are men to blame for women assuming the worst when it comes to them not wearing their ring?- Nope that is all on the women.

Should a woman automatically assume the worst when their husband does not wear his ring daily? -No, she might want to question...but never assume.

Do women put too much emphasis on the ring? - YES

Why does the association with the ring differ so drastically between men and women?- Because we like shiny, pretty things...because we like signs and symbols.

Finally, have we made the ring more meaningful than what it truly is?- Like the marriage certificate itself we have made the ring more meaningful. Couples that chose to live together for years sometimes don't exchange rings.

As a whole I think that it comes down to the couple. People need to stop assuming and just ask questions. I'm not a big advocate of marriage so it really doesn't bother me until I come across a man (read my blog post http://multipleheart.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/i-d... and you will understand why it would be nice if all married men wore their rings.

Have you ever felt lost on the dating scene after getting out of a long-term relationship?- When I broke up with my ex fiancé. We were together for 6 years (on and off) but during the off time I didn't date. When we broke up I went into a severe depression. I didn't want to leave my house. I went to work, came straight home and stayed there. I didn't hang out with friends or family. My ex and I did everything together and it was very hard for me to "re-learn" how to do things on my own. At the time I was still dealing with the death of my mom (my ex was AMAZING to me during that time) so eventually I sought out therapy because I just felt that I needed the extra help.

Do you agree that your first love sets the stage for what you want or expect from all future relationships? - Not necessarily my first love was a very dysfunctional relationship that then lead to an abusive relationship. But the relationship with my ex fiancé was none of those things. I try to see each relationship and each man as separate. There may be similarities but I really try to not focus on them

How long does it take for you to get over someone after you breakup?- There is no set time. It depends on the person I broke up with and where was I in my life. Some have taken me weeks, months, one took a year.

Is there an ex you always find yourself comparing people you date to? - Nope

Have you ever found yourself talking about an ex on a date or dated someone that did?- Of course, it will come up. But I don't bring an ex into every conversation.

Do you see that as a sign that they’re/you’re not over that person yet?- Depends, sometimes you learn from reflection. I don't think looking back and talking about a past relationship is a sign that you aren't over them. I try to see it as learning from what happened.

Does your heart or your head rule how you approach relationships? - Before it used to be my heart, now its my head. I listen to my head and my gut. My heart is too full of hope and longing to listen to, lol

What additional advice would you have for this young lady?- Take it slow. I was breaking off my engagement at 25. You have time to get back into a serious relationship. I will say this...don't see every man that approaches you/or you them as someone to have a relationship with. I have seen too many friends (and myself) do this. Meet, and enjoy your time with that person. Yeah its nice to "look into the future" and attempt to plan but in the long run it is best to just let things flow and remember not everyone that comes into your life is meant to stay forever.

Good Luck
My recent post I know

I co-sign with Shannon, Miss Conception said it best. I make it a point to be upfront and honest about what I want and what I am looking for when dealing with a man. If my stance changes during the course of seeing him I am vocal then too.
Men have the problem being vocal. Men have a problem understanding the difference between what they want and what they can have. Life is not a free for all. Decisions will cause actions that will cause reactions...plain and simple. Think before you act. Stop being afraid of "having the talk" and just have it. Be honest with people.

My recent post Sleep much

Honestly and I say this from experience...don't give it another thought. Put him out of your mind and focus on meeting someone else if that is what you wish to do.

On the other hand you can email him if you want. But if you still get no response...keep it moving.
My recent post Sleep much

I'm there now...dealing with so much time wasted...it isn't a disappearing act per say but a friends with benefits that was once ok, but now...not.
Funny how at times he did disappear...but now that I want to disappear he is all up in my a$$.
My recent post Sleep much

Have you ever had someone you thought was feeling you only to have them just disappearing out the blue? - Yes

Did you ever get a chance to find out what happened to them? - No. I wondered for a while but trying to decipher why (without a willing partner) proved to use up too much energy.

Do you generally assume it’s someone else of that they’re just not into you?- I try not to assume...For the sake of my ego I like to go with " he just got busy."

Would you rather someone tell you that you were wack in the sack or just disappear? - Be honest...regardless of what type of relationship we have be honest so I can learn and do better for the next.

Do you buy being “busy” as a valid excuse for being flaky? - At times NO, in this day and age it really doesn't take much to let a person know that you are thinking of them. You might not have time for a date or a phone conversation but a text explaining that you are busy but that you are thinking of them goes a long way.

Or do you believe that even busy people make time for people they really want to? - Yes I do believe that... if you want someone you will find a way to show it.

Can you respect someone that realizes they’re not in the right space to do right by you? - I can. I have been there. What I don't like is men who use that excuse, disappear, then resurface only to be in the same place. The disappear act is supposed to be time to fix, change, realize whatever you didn't before.

What did you think of my heavy dose of reality in my reply?- Need. Myself included sometimes hears and sees what we want. The purpose of reading this blog other than entertainment, lol is to get that does of reality.
My recent post Sleep much

Funny how I wake up and no longer think "oh half the week is over", I think "OH its Wet Wednesday!!!"
Great, fantastic.

Have you ever been so drawn to someone it drove you crazy? -Yes

How essential is the sexual energy between you and your lover to you? - I never thought much about. I have always grown into sexual energy with my partners as the relationships progress. But that completely changed when I met a man that was nothing like my "type" but I was drawn to him in the biggest way. Now I have realized that I want that type of passion and desire in my relationships from the start. Its a tricky balance because it isn't just attraction. To me it is this electricity that is felt when I am near him.

Have you ever fallen for someone you thought you never would? Yes. It is very exciting and very new, makes you rethink things.

Would you be willing to risk a friendship for the possibility of experiencing true passion and love with that person? - I did, and it was one of those relationship that forever changes you.

Could you feel the anticipation building in this piece? - Oh yeah...

How’d you like this does of Wet Wednesday erotica with a poetic twist?- Come on, I have met a Wet Wednesday I didn't like
My recent post Monday- the positive side

My thing is...uhm shouldn't he pay to support the child married or not? Contribute something? I know he can't because he doesn't have a job and seems very busy cheating...But why would that even come up as a reason to marry? And what person would voice that damn reason to others...
My recent post Just an update of sorts

Rusty Dater, I'm so sorry for your loss. I've lost two loves in my life one was due to a long illness, the other due to violence. Getting back into that dating pool wasn't very hard because of my age and my circle of friends, but nevertheless it was hard.

In response to your letter, what struck me as odd is when you wrote "I don't ask him questions because I feel like right now I'm on a need-to-know status and there is nothing I need to know"...as someone that thinks of themselves as "wifey material" and someone that doesn't want to be a "jump off" I find it odd that you aren't asking questions like "How are you?" "Where are you deployed? "Are you dating?"
If you want something deeper with this man more than just sex then I think you need to show him that your interest is more than sex, that your interest is in HIM. Speaking from a woman's point of view when I get a text like that from a man that says he is interested in me it leads me to believe that he is only interested in sex. Granted you knew him way back when, but you haven't seen him in years and you are telling him you want to "dip you in something and eat you." if a man said that to you what would you think...honestly.
Maybe there are other messages that have a whole different theme going. I'm just responding to what you have written.
- Questions-
How do long do you think someone should wait after the death of their fiancé before dating again? - This isn't a question that will ever have a definite answer from me. It is a personal choice. After my Mom died my Dad started dating a few months after maybe 4 or 5. My sister and I couldn't have cared less, but other family member didn't like it. He was lonely. Just because he was dating didn't mean he loved my Mom any less.

Do you think that sending sexy messages with someone you met online when you’re looking for a serious relationship is a contradiction? - Yes...say what you mean and mean what you say. Flirting is great, but if your foundation is only flirting you might get some side glances.

Or consenting adults should be free to be flirtatious without being expected to go all the way? - We can be, but again I think there needs to be a balance. I have stopped talking to men because all they would do is flirt and throw sexual innuendos my way.

Do you think that the writer is subconsciously trying to protect herself by going after a long distance lover? -That I can't answer. I would need more info about if she is dating or taking to anyone else. She seems to be into this guy but unsure on what the process is.

What advice would you give her?- If you want something solid, and real, a relationship that can build...be about it. Ask questions, get to know the man that the former flame has become in the time you were apart. If not, enjoy the messages and attention.