The NEED for a "Plan B"?

Given what I wrote about last night, regarding my future with Sally, I almost shudder to write this.

I met a woman this past week that I am interested in...

She's recently relocated to the region and was her first time visiting the business event that I attended. My associate was doing the presentation that night and I just kind of hung around to the side of the room... no need to insert myself into the middle of it when he was doing so well!

At the end of the presentation, the President of the chapter introduced me and asked me if I had anything to say. I deferred on the opportunity, but it did establish my connection to the presentation (and my associate) with the crowd... I wasn't just another participant. As the crowd converged on my associate, I just took up my post beside the white board that he used during his presentation. A few people came over to me and started asking questions. I was engaging with them and having a good time generally. It really was a good evening.

Then I met Laura. Laura walked up and asked me a relatively simple question. We started talking with each other and I enjoyed it. From the time I saw her enter the room that evening, I found that I was attracted to her. She's just a few inches shorter than I am, athletic build, very nice facial features and long blond hair... probably about the same age as I am (if my guess is close to accurate). She works in my industry and is interviewing for jobs, following her move here from South Central US.

We continued talking and at the end, I gave her a copy of my business card and invited her to send me some e-mail, as she was interested in what we were talking about. I didn't think much about it, as people extend that courtesy to each other all the time at these kind of events. As it turns out, I got a LinkedIn invite from her the very next morning. She said a couple of very nice things about having met me and said that she's interested in what we're working on. I suggested that we talk about that next week. A few witty comments in the exchange. Great fun. Will likely propose a time to talk for this next week.

Now, let's be clear, I don't think that any of this means that she wants to have my kids or that she's even really attracted to me. No, I'm very realistic about this. I'm just clear that I am interested in her. The likelihood of anything coming from it is extremely low. But, that's not what's really important here. What is important is that I think that part of  the work I need to do to come to know myself is to meet and engage with women, regardless of any specific outcome.

I'm not trying to "jump ship" on Sally prematurely, but I need to be realistic about what the future does/doesn't hold.

This represents me getting a toe in the water.

It's both exciting and scary at the same time.