I'm dating again.

What???? Oh no! I'm not dating PEOPLE. I am dating HOUSES.

It hit me a couple of days ago. House hunting is just like dating. Richard and I have realized there is not much more room to grow in our current "relationship", and that we need to look into finding something new to make a commitment to.

I have been hitting the personal ads (ahem, mls listings) and then setting up dates with our matchmaker (realtor). Just like in dating, first impressions mean a lot. The suburban bungalow that had a pretty picture in the personal ad absolutely did not measure up when we met. When I opened the door the first time I was hit with a wave of air freshener and stinky dog. I looked down and notice the hairy, filthy carpets. Perfume does not hide what a good bath could have fixed.

Some days, the first meeting goes surprisingly well so a second date is in order. You start to picture what your future could be like together. Sometimes a first impression is so good you decide to dig deeper and are ultimately left feeling disappointed. (Excessive drinking, a wife, party animals next door and a crazy lady who yells at children playing two doors down.)

Some times there is heartbreak too. I was hit with love at first sight with one place. I introduced it to Richard. He loved it too. We proposed. We were rejected. I passed the house yesterday just as it's matchmaker was putting the sold sign on for someone else. My stomach did a little flip.

I even went on a blind date last night. My grandma spotted it in the newspaper. We took the kids for a walk past to scope it out--it is quite close to where we are now. There was an open house (what a hussy!). I think I need to introduce the place to Richard.

In the meantime, I am keeping my options open. Tonight, after introducing Grandma to the one Richard and I met together a couple of days ago, I am meeting a new house too.

Just like with marriage, there is no way to explain it. You Just Know when you have met your soul mate.