Driving home from the gym this evening, I got a call out of the blue from the 'rebound guy' from "N". We haven't spoken in...a year (or more?). Nice chat. Not quite sure what his intentions were - if it was just to catch up, to pass the boredom as he drove home from a football game from out of town, or a booty-esque call. (I doubt the latter).

I think "rebound guy" is an amazing guy. Smart, funny, sweet, attentive, thoughtful - lots of the characteristics that are important to me (and quite dreamy-looking). But he's amazingly devoted to his children too. Now this could be a bonus for some women, but doesn't really fit in for me.

*Now don't get me wrong, I don't find a guy that isn't devoted to his kids attractive. At all.

It's mostly a matter of lifestyle. Dealing with kids (and ex-spoues) complicates things. And it's not that I won't date a guy with kids (I have, I just can't really recall many of them offhand). Between his work commitments and time with his children, "rebound guy" had little more than zilch time for me.

But then again, I was licking my wounds from the email dumping by "N" and wasn't exactly in relationship-seeking mode. And "rebound guy" was going through a divorce too.

What is cool is that "rebound guy" and I were friends first. And after our convo tonight, it's clear that friendship is still there even if we don't talk every day. It was as if we had just spoken last week - there's a good rhythm to our conversations. He said I sound like I am doing really well, which was nice to hear considering the lowpoints I've had in the past couple of years. His ex has remarried and he's 'extremely casually dating a nurse'. (Not sure what that means.) He just doesn't see himself getting married again anytime soon. (Not that I am on husband hunt 2006 either.)

Anyhoo, he said he hasn't been to the fish tank yet and really wanted to go. One of his client sites is 'next door' to it. I told him that I'd be happy to give him (and his kids) a tour sometime if he gave me a day's notice. He said he might take me up on it.

Now don't get all excited. I'm NOT looking at rekindling - although 3  (or was it 4?) dates hardly qualifies as something on the kindling - anything with him. He's a very nice guy. Just not the guy for me. It's a nice reminder that I do pick quality guys from time-to-time. Thankfully, I also recognize what's right (or not right) for me.

If only I could cut/paste parts of some of the guys I've dated... (Now wouldn't that be interesting????)

Who/what would you take (and leave) from those you've dated?