Thank you! At this point in proceedings, I figure there is nothing wrong with crazy brave. The alternative is a life of wondering "what if?" And I am in the business of interesting, and this is interesting.

So I ask.

And she said yes.

She said yes.

I cannot understatement how significant that is.

Ta muchly. At this point in proceedings I don't see the point of holding back. I have learned you need to ask if you want something. And I would not have forgiven myself if had not asked.

@Palindromeman Yes, you would beat yourself up,missed chances, I'm a Widower, lost my wife of 27 years 10 months ago to cancer,dreading somewhat the asking you did and I'm 71,so the pickings are slim in my age range.

@Louise1920 What do you have to lose in asking? And at 71 you're an experienced fella, so that goes a long way. I mean, fuck me sideways, Mary must be half my age. But I'm not hunting a trophy wife to demonstrate my prowess; I just really like her and apparently I am not as repellent as I think I am.

My point is this: age is not a barrier. Confidence, interest and attitude is. Gather those three together, my friend, and you might get something from those slim pickings.

@Palindromeman I'm going to wait the full year(sept 13th),to get my feeling straight,still mourning my loss,weeping occasionally,beating my self up for missed chances when younger,so no kids.

@Louise1920 That is a good plan. Time and distance are necessary, in my experience. Some things will linger - always; I know this from bitter experience - but it becomes a dull ache, like a missing limb. And then you realise there are some days when you don't even think about it. Hard to imagine, I know, but that has been my process so far.

Best wishes.

@Palindromeman I've read the loss of a much loved spouse,is like "Creating a hole in your soul",new love tries to heal it,but it remains a deep wound,cover by a thin,easily torn scab.

@Louise1920 Copy that, soldier, copy that. I know the feeling.

@Palindromeman When you and she meet,take her hands in yours across the table,a simple gesture but very intimate,let her feel your warmth,occasional squeezes. and then order the food. It worked for me those many years ago,I think it still applies today.

@Louise1920 Sage advice, Gandalf, sage advice. It is duly noted.

Thank you! I'll be terrified on the day. And in the interim, the next seven days will feel like an eternity. But I asked and she said yes. To this I cling.

@Palindromeman Breath mints,freshly scrubbed body,a good Cologne,and sparkling conversation at a restaurant of her choosing, a table in the back,but away from the serving doors.

@Louise1920 Oh, nicely managed choreography! I like it!

@Palindromeman You are selling yourself,first impressions mean so much,before my late wife and I met for our first date,we talked it seems like a week, as she had the flu and didn't want me to see her sick,so we conversed. I must have made a favorable impression as we dated and married 6 months later....

@Palindromeman See,maybe the fates(?) heard you lamentations about how your life was going and influenced your choices?

@Louise1920 Lamentaions. I can't see that word without thinking of Conan the Barbarian.

Look, I'm just a pessimistic bugger with a dark view of the world. And I am a sentimentalist and romantic. A mass of contradictions.

If The Power That Be provide me with something, then I am all ears.

That is a lovely story about your late wife, thank you for sharing.

Thanks mate. I just could not drive away without asking. There is a power in fearlessness. I've had knock backs. Which I expected, obvs. But I go with my gut sense; intuition; the Dalai Lama - and hoping against hope I felt something was there. As I say, expect updates