By Abel Keogh —
Dating again after the death of a spouse can be an awkward experience. It can bring out feelings of guilt and betrayal for the person dating again. It can also bring out feelings of confusion and concern from friends, family, and those who were close to the deceased spouse.
If you’ve lost a spouse and are looking to date again, here are 10 tips to make sure you’re able to successfully navigate the dating waters.
1. When you decide to date again is up to you
There’s no specific time period that one should wait before dating again. Grieving and the process of moving on is something that’s unique to each person. Some people take years, others weeks, and then there are those who choose never to date again. Whatever you do, don’t let others tell you you’re moving too fast or waiting too long. Make sure it’s something you’re really ready to try before taking that step.
I started dating five months after my late wife died. Too soon? There were some friends and family who thought so. But five months was when I felt ready to at least test the dating waters. And though it took a few dates to get the hang of things, I have no regrets about dating that soon.
2. Make sure you’re dating for the right reasons
If you feel like dating again, take some time to understand why you want to date again. It’s not wrong to date because you’re lonely or desire some company. Single people date for those reasons too. However, if you’re dating because you think it is going to somehow fill the void or heal the pain that comes from losing a spouse, it’s not going to happen. However, dating does give you the opportunity to open your heart to another person and chance to experience the unique and exquisite joy that comes with falling in love again.
3. Feeling guilty is natural – at first
The first time I went to dinner with another woman, I felt like I was cheating on my late wife. As we entered the restaurant, I was filled with feelings of guilt and betrayal. Throughout our entire date I kept looking around to see if there was anyone in the restaurant I knew. I thought that if someone saw me out with another woman, the first thing they’d do is run and tell my dead wife what I was up to. It sounds silly, but I couldn’t shake that feeling the entire evening. A week later, I went out with someone else. The same feelings of guilt were there only they were less intense. It took about five dates before the feeling went away entirely and I could actually enjoy the company of the woman I was with without feeling guilty.
As you date, feelings of guilt should subside over time – especially when you find that special someone you might want to spend the rest of your life with. If the guilt’s not subsiding, you might not be ready to date again. Give dating a break and try dating again when you might be more up to the task.
4. It’s okay to talk about the deceased spouse – just don’t overdo it
Unless you’re good friends or have known your date previously, he or she is going to be naturally curious about your spouse and previous marriage. And it’s OK to talk about the spouse when you’re first dating someone. Answer questions he or she may have about your marriage, but don’t spend all your time talking about the dead or how happy you were. After all your date is the one that’s here now. And who knows, he or she might make you incredibly happy for years to come. Constantly talking about the past may make it seem like you’re not ready to move on and start a new relationship. Showing that you care enough to get to know them can help reassure your date that you’re ready to start a new life with someone else.
5. Your date is not a therapist
Would you like going out with someone who constantly talked about issues she was having in her life? Dating isn’t a therapy session – it’s an opportunity to spend time with someone else and enjoy their company. If you find yourself dating just to talk about the pain in your heart, how much you miss your spouse, or tough times you’re going though, seek professional help. Spending $60 an hour on professional help will benefit you much more than spending $60 for dinner and a movie. Besides, your date will have a more memorable night if it’s about him or her than about everything you’re going through.
6. It’s okay to make mistakes when you’re finding your dating legs
When I started dating again, it had been seven years since I had gone out with anyone other than my wife. Because I had a certain comfort level with my first wife, I often found myself forgetting proper dating etiquette such as opening the car door or walking a date to her door when the date was over.
If you find yourself forgetting simple dating etiquette, don’t worry about it. Most dates would understand if they knew it had been a while since you dated. But don’t make the same mistake over and over. Learn from them and continue moving forward. You’ll be surprised how fast your dating legs return.
7. Defend your date
You may discover once the family and friends learn you’re dating again that they may not treat this new woman or man in your life very well. The treatment may come in the form of a cold shoulder at family activities or constantly talking about the deceased wife in front of the date. If you have family and friends who are doing this, they need to be told privately, but in a loving manner, that this behavior is not acceptable. If you wouldn’t let family or friends treat your spouse that way, why would you tolerate that behavior toward someone else – especially when your date could become your future spouse? Don’t be afraid to defend your date. If you can’t do that, then you have no business dating again.
8. Realize that not everyone will understand why you’re dating again
There will always be someone who will not understand why you’ve chosen to date again. They may give you a hard time for dating again or have some silly romantic notion that widows and widowers shouldn’t fall in love again. Their opinions do not matter. All that matters is that you’re ready to date again. You don’t need to justify your actions to them or anyone else.
9. Take things slow
The death of a spouse means losing the intimate physical contact. After awhile we miss the kisses, having someone’s head resting on our shoulder, or the warm body next to us in bed. This lack of physical and emotional intimacy is enough to drive a lot of people into the dating scene. Don’t feel bad if you find yourself missing these things. It’s completely normal.
In the dating world, wanting something that was part of our lives for years can become a ticking time bomb. It can force us into a serious relationship before we’re ready. The result: lots of broken hearts and emotional baggage.
If you find that you’re on a date and it’s going well, don’t be afraid to take things slowly. This isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s hard not to throw ourselves at our date if things are going well because we want to be close to someone again. We want that warm body next to ours and have the words “I love you” whispered in our ears. But it can save you and your date a lot of emotional heartache if you wait to make sure what you’re doing is because you love the other person and not because you miss the intimacy that came with your late husband or wife.
10. Make your date feel like the center of the universe
It’s a basic dating rule but it’s often forgotten by widows and widowers. Because we already have someone special in our lives, sometimes we forget to make our date feel special too. Treat your date in such a way that he or she feels like she’s the center of your universe. He or she shouldn’t have to compete against a ghost – even if you only have one date with that person. As long you’re out together, he or she should be the center of your universe.
Even though dating can be awkward and difficult at times, it can also be a lot of fun. There’s no reason being a widow or widower should hold you back from enjoying a night out. Part of the reason we’re here is to live and enjoy life.? And dating is a great way to start living again.
Abel Keogh is an author, editor, and inspirational speaker. His memoir Room for Two (Cedar Fort, 2007) is about the year of his life following the suicide of his seven-month pregnant wife, Krista, and death of their premature daughter nine days later.
Tags: grief, hope
Abel,
This was such an excellent article and I have it marked to send to a friend of mine who experienced a similar loss. I must admit that your story breaks my heart because it was a terrible loss you suffered. I’ve said that before but I just wanted to say it again.
You’ll help many people with your very helpful dating advice and sensitivity.
Kind regards to you,
MJ
I lost my husband June of 2009. I had been with him for about 7 yrs. I have recently started feeling the need to be close to someone. Like you said,you get used to having that person around..hugging,kidding,holding hands,snuggling at night. I miss that so much. The guilt is there in my head when I think I may beable to be with someone again. I feel eventually it would be nice to share my life with someone. I do feel guilty though because my heart is with my husband and I still feel very loyal to him. I don’t want him to think I am going to love someone more then I loved him or that the next person is better as a husband etc. I know it seems silly to think that way but I feel that way.
I think I am going to wait about 6 more months before I start dating again because I want to go to some grief counceling at a church first and help my children heal. Then I feel I will test the dating waters once again for companionship. I am pretty lonely without my husband,the father of my 3 kids,the love of my life…but I may beable to share a little more love with someone else..not replacing my husband because he will always be my love,but just sharing apart of my heart with someone else who will understand that I will always love my husband,but that I am willing to love them too. I know I need to be with someone who is very understanding and who won’t be jealous of my husband.
Thank you for this article. I lost my husband about 9 months ago. I miss the closeness we shared. I was looking for some practical advise on how to deal with dating. Although I do not feel realy quite yet, I know I will. I was given the greatest gift by my husband who was dying of cancer, he made me promise that I would find someone else, because he knew I was comitted to him. I think my husband was my soulmate at that time in my life, but I think our mission on earth is to love so I do believe that I will find another soulmate at some point in my life. I think romantic love is only a earthy concept, but spiritual love can happen to us several times in our lives. At least, I hope so!
Thank you for I too have been widowed now for 10 months, as my husband of 35 years passed away in January and although we had a discussion that if anything should happen to either of us, that we would never find another, either of us! Yet I too am missing that intimacy of holding hands, kissing and just general conversation of day to day living. My concern is that, I am petrified of sexual intimacy, as I believe that my husband was my one and only ‘soul mate’ and once you have that, there is never another.
For me, who is Catholic (and so was my husband), when we married, we were both virgins when we married. My question is when a widow finds another and there maybe holding hands, kissing and such, I am petrified when it comes to intimacy in the bedroom.
I want to know if the church sees this as any relationship, that there should be ‘no sex before marriage’. And if the church frowns upon this and that an older couple should be married before this act may occur. Or if there is not physical act, is it ok if this couple sleeps together in the same bed, is this too frowned upon?
I am so confused and do not know what the rules are on this subject and was wondering if someone could answer my questions.
Everything that has been written about feelings people have when they loose their spouse, is exactly how I have been feeling and it is wonderful to know that I am not the only one going through these emotions.
Thank You
I lost my partner of 7 years 3 months ago. He died suddenly in a horrible motorcycle crash, so we never expected his premature death. He was there one moment and a second later he was gone like our future and are life together. I am at the end of my stage of denial and shock and it is why I cannot imagine myself having children or getting married with anyone now that he is gone. I am of very young and know I do not know when my time will come and meet with my partner again, so I know at some point I will have to date. But he was my soulmate, my life partner, my best friend and now what. People search all their life to have the relationship my partner had, I am lucky to have that, but now what I already had my true love I mean still have my true love. SO how can expect to have him or a true relationship again????
I know this will pass but I do not know if I want it to, I do not know if I can break up and stop being loyal to him and us!
Thank you it is something to consider in my next chapter
Hi Abel,
I lost my husband of over 35 years almost 3 months ago. He was diagnosed May of 2022 with a glioblastoma and died November 10th, 2023.
I miss the closeness of loving him and while I do not want to marry again just want to have a companion. We have a wonderful son, 33, who lives with me who is finishing his Masters in Counseling.
I know I am not ready yet but I do hope to be by Spring. Thank you for your article.
My wife who I loved so much died 6 months ago. Our life wasnt a complete bed of roses, we had our up’s and down’s.
but yes we loved each other. I watched her die, and everyday I still relive that.
Family meals were so lonely afterwards, seeing my children with their families left me feeling so empty.
But yes, the thought of never holding someone again or loving someone again is a sad thought. I will admit I have met someone.
She knows all about my family, she knows all about my wife, and she knows that it will be a hard journey for us both, epecialy when it comes to telling my children and getting over my guilt. She has promised not to rush me, but yes I’m aware I need to one day soon.
I feel so guilty sometimes, and I feel that I should never be happy again. I would never have left my wife other though death. But it is so lovely texting goodnight to someone and putting kisses at the bottom. Such a simple thing I know. I dont know whether it will last with this lovely lady I am seeing, but I still see my wife every day in my thoughts, and I know she would want me to be happy, but yes I still feel a little guilty, but this other lady does light my life.