So, I have a question about an upcoming 'date' I have (I'm not *sure* it's a date, but I think so) this Saturday.
For background: I'm 33. I finished up my doctorate (in plant biology) last year, at a big Midwestern research university, and in August moved down here (5-6 hours away) to start a research job. While I was a grad student, I spent my summers at our research station, on the outskirts of a small Midwestern industrial city with four colleges. Last summer I was out on Thursday night at the dance club, and met a girl, V. She was out with her friends, and a little before the club shut down I approached them and complimented her on her tattoos. We conversed for a few minutes, but the club was closing so she said 'if you want to talk, here's my number' and gave me her number and name. I added her on FB and we've been chatting since then (about 9 months). We've made some plans to hang out which have all fallen through, but I invited her out to dinner (at one of the nicest restaurants in town) this weekend, and she seems enthusiastic- she suggested Saturday evening. I jokingly suggested 'are you sure you want to hang out, it's been nine months so I understand if you don't remember me anymore', but surprisingly she remembered me and how we met, and said 'yes, I'm sure'.
The girl is a young single mom- she's currently 18 (I met her about a week after her 18th birthday), has a 1-year old daughter, is a pre-nursing student at the community college, and is Mexican-American (and beautiful, exactly my type). She's interested in politics and travel, and was very interested to hear about my Peace Corps experience. I'm taking her out to a fancy Spanish tapas place (assuming she can find a babysitter). My questions are, first, are there any special challenges to dating a young mom? Do any of you guys have experience? She seems to be very serious and her priority in life is her baby. Second, how do I not screw this up? I've screwed up an amazing amount of situations in life: I've always suffered from social anxiety, and it wasn't till two years ago that I had my first 'emotionally intimate' relationship and not until last year that I lost my virginity.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
For background: I'm 33. I finished up my doctorate (in plant biology) last year, at a big Midwestern research university, and in August moved down here (5-6 hours away) to start a research job. While I was a grad student, I spent my summers at our research station, on the outskirts of a small Midwestern industrial city with four colleges. Last summer I was out on Thursday night at the dance club, and met a girl, V. She was out with her friends, and a little before the club shut down I approached them and complimented her on her tattoos. We conversed for a few minutes, but the club was closing so she said 'if you want to talk, here's my number' and gave me her number and name. I added her on FB and we've been chatting since then (about 9 months). We've made some plans to hang out which have all fallen through, but I invited her out to dinner (at one of the nicest restaurants in town) this weekend, and she seems enthusiastic- she suggested Saturday evening. I jokingly suggested 'are you sure you want to hang out, it's been nine months so I understand if you don't remember me anymore', but surprisingly she remembered me and how we met, and said 'yes, I'm sure'.
The girl is a young single mom- she's currently 18 (I met her about a week after her 18th birthday), has a 1-year old daughter, is a pre-nursing student at the community college, and is Mexican-American (and beautiful, exactly my type). She's interested in politics and travel, and was very interested to hear about my Peace Corps experience. I'm taking her out to a fancy Spanish tapas place (assuming she can find a babysitter). My questions are, first, are there any special challenges to dating a young mom? Do any of you guys have experience? She seems to be very serious and her priority in life is her baby. Second, how do I not screw this up? I've screwed up an amazing amount of situations in life: I've always suffered from social anxiety, and it wasn't till two years ago that I had my first 'emotionally intimate' relationship and not until last year that I lost my virginity.
Any advice would be much appreciated!