Do you have a dating horror story? One of those well-intentioned "looking for love" moments that was so hideous, it actually served as a wake up call, and changed your life? Here, readers share a 'Bad Romance' -- and a hard-won life breakthrough -- with you.
"I've had my share of really bad dates," laughs Todd, a self-employed web guy in New York City, "But it was those guys who disappeared after one great date that bugged me the most. One guy I really liked broke our third date by casually mentioning he was busy that night -- moving in with his new boyfriend. Now THAT was infuriating."
But looking back, Todd says his ultimate 'Bad Romance' came early in his dating days, when he was casually invited over to his date's tiny apartment for some alone time. Along with the candles and making out, came a 'click' and the unexpected sound of an opening door. "Quick, go hide in the bathroom!" whispers Todd's 'date' as he shoves him towards the door. Turns out, Todd's date not only wasn't out, he lived with his cousin, who (Todd learned later) made the Duck Dynasty clan look open minded.
Stunned, confused, afraid and out of genuine concern for his date, Todd did as requested, and hid out in the bathroom, behind the shower curtain. For several hours, which included -- oh no you d'int! -- holding his breath (literally) in horror when the cousin came in to loudly do his 'business'. "It was the longest few moments of my life," laughs Todd, who eventually fled the scene once the cousin went to sleep.
"Literally hiding out like that in such deep shame felt so terrible, I vowed I would never feel like that again, or put myself in such a ridiculous position," says Todd, who shortly thereafter tore his own life's shower curtain wide open, and defiantly came out to his entire family. "I realize at that time, I was no better than my date, hiding out in silence, ashamed of myself just for being gay. It was an absurd experience, but it snapped me awake. No more hiding."
I took awhile (and a few more lousy dates), but Todd's eventually met his future husband online, and he even shared his shower story with him on one of their early dates. "I found that when it came to successful dating, honesty and self-respect were essential," says Todd, who recently celebrated his 12th anniversary with his husband. Not to mention keeping those shower curtains open at all times.
Now it's your turn. Do you have a 'Bad Romance' that actually ended up changing you and/or your life for the better? Share your story in the comments!
you dont want to hear my dating stories, no way
Posted by: Nino | 02/07/2014 at 02:46 AM
Yowza. This one is pretty brutal.
Posted by: Bobby | 02/07/2014 at 11:04 PM