Would you like a side of Dad with that?

Fair warning I am about to get down right personal and blunt. It is not often that I open up especially so publicly about my dating life. However, this is a topic I have discovered many single parents struggle with (okay people in general).

Dating before having my daughter was somewhat easy. I mean easy in the sense that it was just myself that had to be happy, that had to like the guy. Our conversations would consist of topics as simple as what do you do for a living or what is your favorite color (the answer is blue for all you wondering..okay the one person wondering)? Easy right? I guess God thought it was too effortless for me because BAM he added a child into that equation. Dating now is a whole new ballgame and quite frankly one that I am consistently striking out in.

For the longest time after having my daughter I threw that aspect of my personal life to the curb. I didn't have time and had way more important items of business to get done, like catching up on Greys...kidding (maybe). But after awhile I realized I was only hurting myself more by putting it off. I deserve to be happy too and don't get me wrong my daughter makes me so very happy, but a different kind of happy.

This is the longest I have ever gone not being in a relationship and honestly that is a blessing in some ways. I settled when I was younger. I said yes to relationships I shouldn't have because I didn't want to hurt their feelings. I put my heart through hell and back and when something gets that broken it needs time to heal. Being single for this length of time has really put things into perspective for me. I know what I want and I am not going to settle for anything less then my daughter and I deserve. So what is it that I want?

First and foremost, you have to accept my daughter and not just accept her but like her as well. And no I am not out there looking for a dad for my daughter, she already has one, but I do ask you love and treat her like she is your own. My daughters happiness is just as important to myself as my own, so if you don't like her or the idea of her then don't let the door hit you on the way out. And secondly, you need to understand that she is my life. She is my first priority and always will be. So if you are going to get mad I cant go out because motherhood duties are calling or that I don't have much free time then you can kiss my a** goodbye. If you aren't ready to be apart of our life then please do not waste my time.

I am always open and honest from the start when I meet someone. I never have or ever will hide the fact that I have a daughter. I am not embarrassed of her or that part of my life. I know what I said above may seem like I'm asking for a lot, but to the right man it will not.

Dating a single mom is not a chore. It comes with its own set of challenges but what relationship doesn't. A single mom wont rely on you for much because she has become so accustomed to doing things on her own. She will love you harder then you ever have been before because she knows just how precious love is. And above all, she will put everything she has into making you happy. Plus a single mom comes with a pretty awesome bonus, her adorable kids. If she doesn't show you what true love is, her kids for sure will. Trust me when I say you will have so much love you wont know what to do with it. And oh, a single mom also comes with an abundance of hilarious stories because lets be honest kids say the darnest things.

~ A single mom doesn't date you because she needs you, she dates you because she wants you.~