Switching the Claddagh Ring

You know that feeling when you face reality that the person you have fallen madly in love with does not have the same life goals as you.  Then again you may have just called it quits because you realized the two of you weren't made for each other.  Either way its a break up and it hurts.  Almost three months ago I knew I had to switch the Claddagh ring to indicate that I'm no longer in a relationship and face the challenge of telling my boyfriend of two years and nine months that we should just be friends.  

It had to happen.  I couldn't stand one more instance where he told me that after fervent prayer he felt he was not meant to marry.  All my life I have wanted to be a loving wife and mother and he felt like he couldn't fulfill that request.  I have to respect his decision whether I understand it or not.  My heart was breaking and I had to face this fact before we started to do something we would both regret, ruin our relationship entirely.  We had a great relationship and he agreed that we should just be friends.  He even noted that I have a great personality and someone will marry me and even started throwing out suggestions of some of my guy friends.  I was not in the state of mind to accept partner suggestions from my ex-boyfriend of only two hours.

I got brave and emailed him last week to see how he and his family was doing along with how work is going.  I got some volunteered information about his dating life, a question about my dating life and a few unanswered questions (those I asked and he did not answer).  I understand that he has moved on but I did not need to know his ability to jump right into talking to someone so soon.  I am going to look at it as he has totally switched his view of me from girlfriend to just friend and move on.  Needless to say, it will be another two months or possibly a year before I contact him again.  I'm going to play dumb and come to the conclusion that he is clueless how much it hurts.  A guy friend noted to me that the ex-boyfriend does not deserve my attention and I am realizing that more as time goes by.

I have actually taken the Claddagh ring off.  Each morning brewed the challenge of putting it on to indicate my singleness instead of being in a relationship so I'm putting it away for a little while.  Another sign was the fact that my hand was swelling due to heavy amounts of sewing to make costumes and the ring is a size smaller than my others.  The just as classy spoon ring will do for now.  In all reality I am perfectly okay living the single life, but I still miss him and get lonely from time to time.  My perfect companion will come along and sweep me off my feet in a matter of time.  I just have to be patient in God's timing and purpose.

Happy Trails to You,

Manda