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Learning the Ropes –

As I was about to start writing my thoughts on this quote this morning, I came across this post on Facebook:

I know that in two years someone will probably mention his name and I will deny that he was ever actually important because I will have forgotten all about him. Facebook will tell me I have a memory to look back on and I will laugh at this status. I may or may not remember who it’s about… but right now… this hurts.
He sought me out when I knew nothing but his name. He wanted to spend so much time with me. He wanted me to move in with him, wanted me to get a tattoo he designed, and he tried his last name with my first. Then, just like that I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t live up to his idea of the girl deserving of the pedestal he placed me on. Ugh… mess with my self esteem for fun, why don’t you?

It is from a friend of mine, Emilie Disney. I know her because years ago our families knew each other at church, she was friends with one of my daughters.

Time –

It tells a way too common story of someone being blindsided by someone.  I mean, how can you know the ropes and not be tied up when everything seems perfect, right?  Time is the answer.  The key thing to know here is that her suitor said all those wonderful things within a two week period of time.  TWO WEEKS.  But one wants to believe, right? He was persistent and persuasive and she was seduced by it. And then all of a sudden, he was done.

Luckily, while she is trusting and sincere, she is also smart and mature. She knew inside that something was off when he moved that fast. It was red flags popping up. It didn’t take her long to realize she had dodged a bullet, or at least was just grazed by it and received a flesh wound not needing extreme medical attention!

Experience is the Teacher –

And now she is a more experienced woman. She has learned the ropes to a more sophisticated degree.  She won’t get tied up again that easily, that is for sure. And that’s how it is, right? You don’t learn the ropes from reading a book on relationships. You learn the ropes by having relationships. That is how we learn.

BUT, just in case you don’t want to go through it yourself and you do want to learn from other’s experience….if some guy promises the moon within two weeks? Be wary, no matter how seductive he is.

Drawing and commentary © 2016 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote by Mae West, 1893 – 1980, American entertainer