Shielding

Lockdown 1 came and I moved back to my parents. I’d had the shielding letter and was single and living on my own- I didn’t want to be stuck indoors for 4 months with nobody for company. I’d broken up with him before Christmas, but couldn’t get him out of my mind. Every day I hoped he’d message; I was constantly looking at my phone and willing it to buzz and his name pop up. Fast forward to the middle of lockdown- he messaged and came for a socially distanced catch up in the garden. I liked him and he, looking back, did not feel the same. I’d met him online and my friend convinced me to go back on the internet to find someone new. I was reluctant at first because I wasn’t sure I was ready. He’d messed me around and I was convinced there was nobody nice left! Plus, I was shielding and couldn’t go out to the supermarket, never mind on a date! But then something came over me, a kind of ‘fuck him!’ moment and I was back online filling out a new profile! I felt in control again- he was gone for good and I felt positive about the future. A message from P that day (29.06.20) changed my lockdown experience for the better, and he has since changed my life. We messaged and talked for hours every night, getting to know each other. I couldn’t wait to hear his voice each night.
We chatted constantly for a week, then I broke my shielding lockdown rules and met him in a pub for our first date. We couldn’t touch or kiss, but it was good and he was lovely. Since that first date, we’ve spoken and messaged every day, and lockdown 2 is a totally different experience with him in my life. I’ve met his children (at the same pub/restaurant where we had our first date) , he’s met my parents, and we’ve only ever known dating in corona times. I can’t wait to see what the future holds when we can date again-as we used to know it!