My name is Sarah.
I'm a recently widowed middle-aged woman with three daughters. I'm also completely overwhelmed by life on my own with three kids.
Oh, we're not too bad off materially. Before the accident, my husband, Don Porter, had been a building contractor, and made fairly good money. He knew the ins and outs of the housing industry and was able to get us a good home at a fairly low cost which he then got paid off relatively quickly. He also left a pension fund which allows us to get by, although we don't have a lot to spare.
So even though money is not a major problem, I'm not adjusting well to life on my own. I just feel lost and bewildered without his direction.
Part of me is telling me I need to find someone new, but part of me is holding back, saying I don't want another man. Then it hit me: the reason I'm reluctant is that I don't want a man, I want a woman.
Remembering back: when I was in high school I had been curious about what it would be like to kiss a girl, maybe even make love to a girl. At one point I even had a crush on one of the prettiest girls in school; then later on she actually became homecoming queen, and I felt so outclassed that I didn't even dare look at her.
I never acted on any of those feelings, of course, and then when I met Don, those feelings got pushed to the back of my mind and I ignored them.
But now I'm sure. I want a woman to belong to.
How do I go about finding one?
Well, how do we do anything these days? Google it.
Ok, google says there are around 2500 dating sites just in the U.S. Noooo, that's too overwhelming! I wanna run away screaming!
Stop, stop, that won't help. Narrow it down. What about just lesbian dating sites? That's still a lot. Here, this one has the word "pink" in it. I like pink, I'll go there.
Alright, I've gone pink and set up an account. Now I need to create a profile. I should put in my name, address, and contact information, and a picture.
Here is the profile: "I'm a middle-aged widow with three daughters. Ever since my husband died I've felt lost and overwhelmed. I try to put on a brave face for my girls, but I don't know how much longer I can cope.
I struggle through each day by habit and routine, but I feel like I'm rushing out of control into a train wreck, and I don't know how to stop. Can someone give me direction and courage?
Please help me, I don't know what to do."
Oh my god, what have I done? That's my profile? I'm totally pathetic. Nobody will want anything to do with me.
Now what? The next step would be for me to browse other profiles; but there are so many of them, where do I start? It's just too much, I can't deal with it right now. I have to wait.
Maybe someone will send me a message.
- - -
Ok, I think I'll go look at that account I set up yesterday.
Nope, nothing happened; no messages. Well, I shouldn't be surprised, of course. It just shows how useless and pathetic I am, naturally no one will be interested. Shall I start browsing profiles? Maybe I can find some one to send a message to. No, I still can't face that right now. Maybe tomorrow.
- - -
Now it's been three days since I set up that PinkCupid account. I couldn't bear to look at it yesterday, but I have to do something. Somehow I've got to get up the nerve to message somebody.
Oh, wait! Suddenly I have three messages! All dated today. Oh, wow!
Charlene says: "You poor dear! I'm really touched by your plea, and I hope there will be some way I can help you. Let's talk."
Martina says: "You might be the kind of woman I'm looking for. Message me, and let's find a way to set up a meeting."
Sally says: "Your profile is really activating my protective instincts. Let's chat, and we'll try to find out what I can do for you."
This is stunning! There are actually three women interested in me?
Uh ... now how am I going to handle it? How am I going to choose between them? Well actually I suppose I should read their profiles.
The first one is Charlene Taylor: "I like helping people and satisfying their needs. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, and makes me feel worthwhile.
I've had a couple of girlfriends in the past, but didn't form long-term relationships, so I'm still looking for the one.
Currently employed in a chain department store, where I've been long enough to become a supervisor."
The next one is Martina Ruspoli: "I'm a recent immigrant from Italy. I left to distance myself from my devout catholic family who can't deal with my lesbian orientation.
By occupation I'm a translator. I work for a company with facilities in both Italy and the U.S. Also I'm able to pick up a fair amount of free-lance work.
I don't like conflict (get way too much of that from my family), so I'm hoping to find a partner who is cooperative and agreeable."
Also there is Sally North: "I've always been the adventurous, inquisitive, explorer type. Lately however, I've been feeling a need to settle down and have a family.
Unfortunately this doesn't sit well with my former partner, who is adamant about wanting nothing to do with kids. So that led us to separate.
Now I'm seeking another woman who wants children. I'm thinking in terms of artificial insemination, but other possibilities or arrangements are not out of the question.
I'm a genetic engineer by profession, and make a rather good salary."
- - -
Well, they all seem like good people. I don't know ... this is exactly the kind of thing I'm not good at; it's part of the reason I need somebody else's help.
Of course! That's it! Since I need their help; I need them to decide for me. The only way to really know who might be right for me is to meet them in person. So we should all four get together to see how we will get along.
Now I need to tell them that.
"Thank you so much for reaching out to me.
However, now I find myself in a quandry. I suddenly have messages from three different women asking to contact me. I don't know how to handle this. I'm indecisive and easily confused; it's part of the reason I need your help.
Can we all get together to talk and get to know each other? I can arrange for my girls to spend most of this Saturday visiting their cousins. That way we can all meet at my place after lunch (around 1:00-ish) to discuss the best course of action. I'm willing to accept whatever decision the three of you will make about me.
Are you free to come here on Saturday?"
Charlene replies: "Yes, I would love to be able to help you out. See you on Saturday."
Sally replies: "Are you sure about this? You're inviting three strangers into you home to let them decide about the rest of your life. I mentioned before that you're making me feel protective of you. So in order to protect you, yes I will definitely be there."
Martina replies: "This sounds very intriguing. I joined PinkCupid to meet women. Here I can meet three at once, so yes, I'm looking forward to it.
However, I'm not willing to wait that long for you. Therefore, tomorrow after you've gotten your kids packed off to school, you will leave your front door unlocked.
This is your first command from your new mistress."