It's all in how you rate the risk, isn't it? Or would you risk anything for romance? It's perfectly possible there are things Allyson thinks are within reason to risk that you don't. Or that she's just not as wacky as you are.

I don't think she's wacky, but I do think (from what she's said here) that she'd very much like a romantic relationship. But that's her business, and I don't presume to know how or why she makes her choices.

I just thought the advice was arguable.

From my perspective, if you are not willing to make an emotional risk then you won't reap the emotional benefit.

Question about separation: Why does it take so long? I mean, it doesn't have to, but why do you encounter people who are definitely never going to reconcile but who have been separated for years without pulling the trigger?

There were two factors in my long separation. The first was that I felt that I was at a disadvantage in a custody dispute over Emmett, and felt like the longer I had an established pattern of joint physical custody the easier it would be to make that case in court. The second was simply financial. It cost $7,000 for my divorce - when you've got a kid, you can't use a paralegal. Too much is at stake. And I didn't have it.

if you are not willing to make an emotional risk then you won't reap the emotional benefit.

Hec, you do understand that she's not being advised against taking any risks, but rather this one?

Unrelatedly, an interesting piece on the history of Helvetica.

Hec, you do understand that she's not being advised against taking any risks, but rather this one?

The tone of the advice was definitely running down a red flag list. No neighbors, no separated etc. Those are pretty general and broad.

Also, Allyson stated that it wasn't worth the heartache, but I didn't think that she really had enough information to make that call this early in the game. There are a lot intermediary steps between "interested neighbor" and "potential boyfriend" or "definitely not." I did not see a commitment to due diligence, but an impulse to back away from interest.

no secret I lean puritanical on several fronts. I wouldn't think of someone more than friends with anyone still legally married. Of course there are a number of reasons why someone would not finalize a divorce, I just wouldn't date them, and I'd be uncomfortable if they made advances.

Well, in a mercenary sense, I'm just talking about making out and a possible blow job.

I mean, I have an absolute terrible crush on Tim, but it hasn't really occur to me to make a pass at him, because it's a weirdly platonic crush that is just about giving him a gigantic hug every now and again and flirting in some outrageous way in which we argue and make each other nuts. And that's the extent to which I'm comfortable in that crush.

But my neighbor crush includes smoochies, which is what makes me need to throw up a wall. But it's still a crush that could develop into a lovely friendship if I just, you know, build a nice little heart-load bearing wall.

ETA: I have the barrier to relationship msbelle mentions with the recent separation and the still attached to someone, at least legally.

That's icky.

The ickiest.

One marriage that I'm familiar with ended after a 22 year separation. "If I can't have him, no one will."

The neighbor kept the separation going because it meant that he did not have to answer in court for his behavior or be held responsible for expenses.

My bff's separation has been going on for 2 years so far. Massive power and control issues and, as David says, when kids are concerned, things can be dicey.

Thank dog for my divorce. The exDH and I went to the courthouse and did the paperwork together. His only responsibility was the $146 fee. Still? He bounced the check and I had to beg the clerk of court to accept the date of the check as a 'good faith' attempt rather than starting the 6 month clock from zero. I cried. The clerk took pity. The exDH was lucky like that.

No neighbors, no separated etc. Those are pretty general and broad.

And really hardly a drop in the water when it comes to the set that is all risks. Sure, they're risks you're okay with, but don't paint it like just because people won't take some of your risks that it means they're fuddy duddies who'll never know the whirlwind of love that you have. There's a big gap in logic there.

Okay, back to Belize.

Also, didn't Allyson start with asking for reasons why not?

I stand by no neighbors, if you're a person who tends toward strong feelings quickly.

if I just, you know, build a nice little heart-load bearing wall.

Awww. Yeah.

Look, if romance is not a priority (and I don't presume it is for everybody here, and know several folks who have stated otherwise) then it's not worth the heartache.

But if you want love.

If you desire a committed relationship.

Then I am saying that you have to be more open to trying things and can't be so willing to throw up a wall. You can't be looking for reasons Not To. You have to try a lot of maybes and rethink your issues. You have to grow to it.