re: If you didn't have your wife (or don't have one) would you be happy being a loner?

My condolences. It’s a tough place to be. My wife died from a difficult terminal disease a couple of years ago when I was 51. Take care of her, your family and yourself. It will be bad, but you can get to the other side and rebuild. Whatever that looks like for you.

I’ve intentionally stayed away from dating since she died. I got 99 problems but a bitch ain’t one, as they say. Been taking care of my kids and myself. Like you I’m not interested in a woman who “needs” me. I’ve been through enough to solve some chick’s problems.

That said there are women out there who feel the same way about a man. In the future I’ll look for one that is additive to my life, and me additive to hers. I’m good on my own and she’ll need to be good on her own. If we can put it together in a 1+1=3 then it’s on.