Definition needed

How does one define "dating"? Who get's to make that definition?

I'm not sure if driving in my car with the radio off has been a good idea. It's allowed my mind to wonder through some crazy half-thoughts; connecting dots that have long been waiting to finally link two common themes, and creating new bridges between things that probably don't relate at all.

While driving tonight I came to a startling realization. I've recently mention "dating" someone in communication with friends and family, knowing that it is too early to actually use that term, but unsure what to call it when we've been out on 2 dates, and that could potentially be more...I've simply accepted the offered title. But, for whatever reason tonight I asked myself if we are actually dating. Because we have been out a couple times, as mentioned before, and we enjoyed ourselves (at least I did). And we will probably go out again.

But does that constitute dating? And if so, maybe I've been "dating" several people...

I mean, whatever it is that we are doing, I've definitely done more with the last jerk guy I told everyone I wasn't dating. We never kissed or really even held hands (both of which I consider very important in a relationship), but we were very much comfortable with each other I was very comfortable with him, so there was no awkward personal space bubble that couldn't be invaded; we were pretty much always together; people thought we were dating; I assumed we'd be friends for pretty much the rest of our lives. I was often fairly excited to receive his calls (obviously that was back before I started almost calling him a jerk--see above. And yes, I do take some responsibility for our lack of communication now, but that's a different story). I was definitely more drawn to him than I am to this current guy (again, I admit that this is my fault again, because I am apparently not gifted in the patience department, so I lose interest quickly when there is nothing happening).

The possible definitions I came up with for defining a dating relationship are:

1- Participation in dates

2- Expectation of longterm relationship

3- Intimacy (physical, emotional, comfort level)

4- Simple decision made by those involved

So all these random thoughts came pouring into my conscious as I drove along Route 66 tonight. And then a thought struck me: Was I dating Jerk (I guess I'll call him that now, just to keep things kinda easy)? Was I lying to everyone, including myself about this? Is that why I am so upset with the current lack of friendship between us? I'd been telling myself it was because I considered him one of my best friends, and I felt betrayed, but is it actually that am I really just jealous? Because that would change everything. While I thought I was rightfully upset, maybe it's all my fault and I'm overreacting. That would make me very sad.

Not Sorry

I'm sorry, but you made your choice, and apparently we weren't as good of friends as I thought we were--as I wanted us to be. You know what? I take that back--I'm not sorry. I did nothing to appoligize for. It was your decision. You made your choice and now you will have to learn that your choices have consequences. You don't get to ask for another chance from me. You already chose her over me once, and I gave you a free pass on that one. I niavely came running back as soon as you opened your arms to me and I threw my arms around you. That was your "I'm stupid" moment. You used it. I saw it happening again and I talked to you about it...you remember what you told me? That I'm just being jealous and I need to get over it. Well, I guess you need to be carefull what you wish for. You said you deliberately negelect to call me (even though you promised you would) because you wanted me to chance and toughen up...I didn't want to do that because I don't like to be that person...but I guess you won that one. Because even though I tried to ignore the signs then, I've now closed my arms to you. I'm not going to be your back up plan who comes running any time you call. I hate being that girl and I refuse to be that girl again. I did it before. I pretended I wasnt hurt and I got past it. But then I got hurt again, and now I can make no promises. This time you are going to have to convince me to come back. This time I will have my guard up. Now I have to doubt everything you tell me. Now, I expect you to flake on me. Now I doubt anything you ever tought me. Now I'm harder. Tougher. Does it make you happy?
Because it doesn't make me happy. And while I have to be this way toward you, I'm doing my best not to let it cary over into other parts of my life. I'm doing my best not to let it affect my life, because if we are not friends, you don't get to change me. So when I see you, I'll be civil. But don't mistake that for friendship, because while I have to forgive you, I don't have to keep putting myself in the position to be hurt. You know what you'll become to me? A joke. The story I laugh with people about because laughter dulls the tears.
So congratulations. But I'm not sorry.

Not Enough

I hope you believed me when I told you that while the letter you sent is appreciated, it doesn't fix everything. You said you were taking your frustration out on me, and that's why you ignored me. Well, I guess that was kind of you in your own way, but it's still not enough. I can't live my life being mistreated by you, so you will have to work hard to earn me back. I mean, I'm there for you if I can help...but I don't get to care any more. And I'm not going to call you. If anything happens with us, it's going to have to be your effort.

Silence

I don’t know what to do. It’s been so long that we haven’t talked, and now you don’t even call, you just send a text message. Don’t you know how much it kills me to leave things up in the air like this? I’m doing it because I thought we’d try handling the drama your way…but apparently you don’t want that. Or maybe your way is just not to be friends…And it hurts me. But I’m determined not to be the one to call you. I don’t want to be that girl who keeps coming running back to you, even though you mistreat her. I don’t want you to think that’s okay behavior. …Even though it doesn’t ease the pain I feel at the silence between us. I’m so used to talking to you every day. I’m so used to depending on you. I’m so used to you needing me. But now I feel like you never really needed me—you were just using me; because if we were friends you would have wondered where I’ve been. If we were friends you would have called even though you didn’t need anything, just talk to me. Friends don’t behave this way, or haven’t you learned that yet? I thought you had because we’ve had this argument before. Apparently you didn’t care at all. Apparently you didn’t need me so much as you needed someone. And I’m sad I wasn’t more important than that, because I know I’m special. I know I deserve better. And someday you will know that too. Sadly, I probably won’t be around then to benefit from your finally figuring that out. I’m sad I won’t be able to benefit from your understanding, but glad won’t have to suffer this pain until then. I’m hurt. And I long to pick up the phone and call you because you’re where I used to run for comfort. I long to have everything back to how it was when we were friends—the best of friends…but things can’t go back. They can never go back.
Because your text today didn’t say anything about how you missed me, or how you’re sorry you hurt me. It just asked for something you asked me to hold for you. It just demanded that I meet your time schedule. It told me how little I, the person, matter to you, and how much I am just the object you used. Just here for your convenience whenever you feel the whim to do something.
…Don’t you understand what’s going on? Can’t you see that in my silence resides my pain? I don’t have the energy to fight with you. I shouldn’t have given you this much power over me. I thought you’d appreciate the fact that someone trusts you. I thought you’d appreciate that someone wants you around. I thought you’d see how much you mean to me…but I guess not, and now I guess it’s my fault for putting all of me on your line. It’s my fault for expecting so much from you. I should have made you earn it. I’ve made that mistake twice now. It won’t happen again.

How

I’m at a loss about how to make it work. I tried to do it the only way I know how….but unfortunately I failed. And now I don’t know what at do. Because I want us to be like we were. I liked who I was. I was comfortable. I was happy. But maybe I was putting too much pressure on you. I guess it doesn’t matter what I was; if it made you unhappy. You didn’t like how we were, and I don’t like how we are…If we can’t make it work then I guess there can be no us. Which is devastating—at least it is to me.
…but I guess that since you haven’t made any move to correct the situation I wasn’t that important to you…Several time before I have called you to work out our disagreements. Several times before I have tried to explain my side of the argument so you could understand. This time I thought I’d try it your way. And now it’s been almost 2 weeks since we had a real conversation. I don’t know what you want from me.
What should I do?

Lies

You lied to me. You told me you’d be gone for the night with your best friend. You told me you’d call me. We had plans today. But maybe you forgot all of that. You probably forgot that you gave your best friend my phone number. You probably forgot that we talk to each other now. Too bad for you. Because your best friend didn’t know that you’d lied. Your best friend didn’t go along with your story. Your best friends talk. We know all about you—did you forget that too?
Because it breaks my heart that you could do that. You used to tell me everything. I used to be able to depend on you. I tried to be understanding that you have a hard situation to deal with…but it’s been so long now. You need to stop being the victim. You need to see how much you have going for you. I can take just about anything, but not your lies. I don’t know what is going on with you, but I do know you’re not telling me everything. And I can’t understand what you don’t tell me. I wish we could be friends still. I wish we could…but I can’t. Not like this. Because you’re not being my friend when you tell me lies. You said once that you lied in order to toughen me up—but I already expect that from most people. I just don’t expect that from you. So if you are going to lie, you are going to get downgraded back to the “most people” classification. And it’s hard for me to be around you now, because I need time to figure out how to treat you now.

Did you forget how much I love you? …or maybe it should be loved…