Don't be quick to judge...

I remember the first time it happened in the 9th grade. I had switched schools in the middle of the school year and was nervous about starting a new school. I had a few friends in the school but I didn't know anyone in my Biology class. I walked into the class, took a look around, and quickly assessed the situation. I don't want to sit by THAT person, they don't look smart. I don't want to sit by THAT person, they look too smart. I quickly made many judgements and tried to find the best seat. I don't remember who I sat by but I remember realizing that I misjudged them. Heavenly Father was trying to teach me a lesson. It has happened again and again in my life as I try to make my way in this world. Almost every single time, I have thought to myself, "Shellee, you shouldn't be so quick to judge. Everyone has something positive to contribute. Don't be so hasty." 

I am a slow learner...

Fast forward to April 2013. I have been divorced for almost 3 years. I had just gotten out of a complicated, long-distance relationship about 4 months previous. I was healing and re-evaluating what I wanted in my life. I knew I wanted to date. I knew I wanted to get married again. The first time I got on ldssingles.com, I met some great friends. I went on some interesting dates. I almost never said no and if the date was okay, I always agreed to a second date. (It is too hard to get a clear idea of someone on a first date.) So, now I find myself on the precipice of dating again. I got back on ldssingles.com and I vividly remember thinking to myself, "Cast your net wide. Something good will come back.". So I did.

I looked at pictures and read profiles. I wanted to find the man in the picture attractive but I didn't limit myself to a certain hair color or number of kids or anything. Personality, emotional connection, ability to communicate are more important to me at this stage of the game. I was BOLD! I found some men that seemed interesting to me and I reached out to them. I sent them "smiles". 

One in particular was MagicMan007. He wasn't what I would immediately have looked at previously...he was BALD!! But his profile intrigued me and I "smiled" at him. Apparently, he got notifications on his phone and he was immediately notified that someone had "smiled" at him. He was working out of town and only had his phone with him at the time. He saw that I was online and sent me an instant message. The interface on his phone with ldssingles.com was terrible and we were having a hard time communicating. He asked if he could connect up again with me that evening when he got back to his hotel and had access to his laptop. I readily agreed and we got offline. 

I joined ldssingles.com on April 10, 2013.
I "smiled" at MagicMan007 on April 12, 2013.