Moving and Moving On

Dear Connecticut,

This is my final Masquerades and Mishaps article for the Patch, as I will no longer be combing your scenic shoreline in hopes of meeting my Mr. Right.  I hope we can part as friends, as I shall hold memories of your fabled charm and wonderful Italian food forever in my heart.

Really, it’s not you, Connecticut; it’s me. Well, it is partly you, I guess, but it’s mostly me. I’ve got bigger mountains to climb and a new dating scene to explore. Yes, Connecticut, I’m leaving you for Colorado!

Saying goodbye is never easy, but I’m sure in time you’ll come to see it’s for the best.

We both knew this was coming, eventually, but our time together went so fast! And there was always that chance I’d find “the one” and stay along the I-95 corridor until “death do we part.” Alas, my soul mate was not among the hordes of eligible bachelors through which I scoured, and it is time I bid my final adieu.

I’d like to keep things classy and not drag this out with empty promises and an attempted long distance relationship. I’ve been there, done that, and am not going back.

I’ve learned, when moving and moving on, one must decide what to pack up and what to leave behind. I’m not the most sentimental person in the world. I don’t like frivolous possessions or shallow-rooted love interests to tie me down. So, let’s make a clean break, shall we?

Looking back on the past year we spent together, I’m overwhelmed with memories of laughter, tears and hopelessly unromantic situations.

, I promised to share my shoreline dating experiences, “the good, the bad, and the terribly awkward.” Looking for romance, – well, several churches in the greater New Haven area, at a event, in Branford Harbor, and at .  Yet, I returned from each venture empty-handed.

I wasn’t one to give up on love easily; I dated , , and the without success. I encountered flirtatious and really , showing no promise for my happily ever after.

Thinking that something might be wrong with me, I examined , read all of the dating , sought dating from everyone (including ) and was only met with more .

Then came the Holidays, a time when things can look pretty bleak for singles. Yet, in spite of and , I somehow managed to get a . Of course, I had to travel to Key West for that. I guess no one in Florida had seen the video, so I could at least pretend I had some game.

Oh, Connecticut – this isn’t a total loss. During our time together, I gained valuable and into . But, as my time was drawing to a close, I had to and face reality. There was no denying it, we were drifting apart.

Yes, I’m still single - very single. But, I don’t feel quite as hopeless as I did when Nicole first interviewed me at Common Grounds in March 2011.

I’m no longer the broken-hearted train wreck I once was. Maybe still a bit of a train wreck, but definitely not broken-hearted. Connecticut, you made me wiser, cooler and more refined in the art of finding love and I shall be eternally grateful for that. I came to you as a lonely little girl and I’m leaving as a stronger woman, one ready to tackle new dating challenges at high altitude.

Goodbye, Dear Connecticut. Thank you for sharing these experiences with me and providing such colorful commentary. I learned a lot, I laughed a lot and I only cried a few times.

SWAK,

Maureen

PS. While this is my last official dating column, if any of you eligible bachelors have a last minute change of heart, feel free to stalk on my blog and twitter.