It’s been a little more than a week on my dating app, and so far…nothing.

I wonder what’s up with the filters. I specifically said I’d like to meet someone in a 50 mile radius around my town. It’s been more like 500 miles nowhere near my town. I wanted someone closer to my age. I’ve received inquiries from men much younger or far older (I’m not THAT old, for chrissakes). And pretty much all of my pairings have been with men who’ll I’ll never fancy, or guys who’ll have nothing to do with me because I’m 500 miles away. Who wants that?

Or…what I’ve been dreading.

There’s this guy I know. Not exactly a friend but neither is he an acquaintance. Actually, he’s the ex-boyfriend of a good friend. They split up amicably, and are still friends. I always thought he was a nice person, if a little eccentric. Turns out he was quite ill for a very long time, and his illness left a mark on him. He has a good heart, though, and is always a pleasure to talk with.

So who pops up on my “For You” feed?

Him.

While he’s a swell person, he’s not for me. Why? Maybe he’s missing that certain je ne sais quoi. My heart doesn’t flutter when I see him. Instead, it wonders what I should have for lunch.

Just because two people are single, doesn’t mean that they’re right for each other. Years ago, my friend Ella was set up on a blind date with the son of her mother’s friend. “You’re getting older,” said Ella’s mom. “And you don’t want to be alone for the rest of your life now, do you?”

Figuring she had nothing to lose, Ella went on the date. They met at a local bar (of course), where he perched on the edge of his stool. He greeted her with a smile. She noticed the missing tooth immediately. He slugged down his gin cocktail and offered to buy her a drink. Graciously, she accepted, trying not to notice that his hair desperately needed a wash. He went on about how he still lived home with his mother, and yeah, soon, he’s going to get a full-time job, but he can’t decide what he’d like to do. He wasn’t depressed, just lazy. His mother was paying for everything, feeding him and doing his laundry, so what’s the rush?

The date lasted forty-five minutes, about forty-four minutes too long, according to Ella. He asked for her number and she politely declined, saying she was moving (which was true – she just bought a townhouse, about a half-mile from her apartment. Yes, I know.). He stayed at the bar as she walked out the door, asking the bartender for another drink.

There’s nothing wrong with being single, and there’s nothing wrong with refusing to date someone just because you’re both without partners. There has to be more than that. Something has to buzz between the two of you when you see each other. Maybe it’s a little hard to look into their eyes, because you might blush if you do. Maybe your palms sweat. Or your heart thumps so loud you think everyone can hear it. Thoughts of this person run in the background as you try to finish that report your boss needs for tomorrow’s meeting.

So that’s what I’m holding out for.

Will I find it on the dating app? Seriously, I don’t know. Someone might have the pitter-patters when they gaze at my photo and profile. I might feel the same way.

Or someone might introduce me to a friend.

That’s the beauty of our world. You never know what’s going to happen, until it does. In the meantime, keep the faith.