Single Mom

When we returned from Cancún, I moved with the girls into a small apartment in Clearfield.  I knew it was going to be a difficult road as a single mom, but I felt so much hope and an excitement for a new beginning and a second chance at happiness.  

We were super poor, but we made it work.  David was paying $1,000 a month in child support and I was paying $750/month for the apartment which included utilities, cable and internet.  The other $250 went for diapers, food, gas, clothing, insurance, phone and everything else we needed.  I did have some savings from the equity in our home, but I needed to ration that out so that I could make it work until the girls were in first grade, then I would get a job.  

I was anxious to start dating again.  I was hardly ever leaving the house, so I knew the only way I would meet anyone was online.  I created a profile and started getting to know people.  At first it was really fun to see all the messages I got, but then I realized most of the guys were creeps.  

One of my profile pics

My first online date was eye opening.  We decided to meet at a restaurant.  I showed up and looked around and didn't see him, but then he walked up to me and said hello.  HE LOOKED NOTHING LIKE THE PICTURES IN HIS PROFILE.  I would have never recognized him.  He was about 30 pounds heavier and 10 years older than the pictures he used.  Immediately, I didn't trust him.  We had dinner and then he invited me to watch a movie at his place.  I went, but decided to leave early.  I wasn't interested.  

I also found out that even though people were on the LDS dating website, most of them were not living the gospel.  They would tell me they were on a break, but planned to go back eventually.  I wanted nothing to do with anyone that was "on a break."  

I did go on some fun dates, but no one really caught my interest initially.  Then about two months later, in January, I started chatting with James.  He seemed different.  He had just finished his MBA at Purdue and was starting a real estate business.  He was active in the church and decent looking.  We went on some dates and hit it off pretty well, but there was an issue, he was 30, had never been married and was eager to get married.  I had just been divorced and was not ready to jump into another marriage.  

Nascar Race at Darlington Raceway

During that time, I moved out of the apartment and in with my grandpa, in Bountiful.  It was mutually beneficial.  I would save $750/month in rent and he would have company and someone to buy his food, make him meals, do his laundry, etc.  I loved my grandpa, he was great.  

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