Dear Donna,
I have been meeting men online off and on for a few years.
I have learned how to filter them out pretty quickly, especially if they start with sexual innuendos.
However, since the coronavirus it seems everyone is on one side or the other and apparently they can label me by asking if I do or don't wear a mask.
If I wear a mask, I am a Democrat. If I don't wear a mask, I am a Republican.
In fact, I am neither. I consider myself an Independent and I wear a mask when it is required and I do not wear a mask outside.
I cannot believe how divisive the conversation becomes when they consider me to not be on their side and it seems they need to know this before we even meet.
Are you seeing this in your business? Lisa
Dear Lisa,
Yes I am.
I have been in this business since 1988 and politics were never much of an issue until the 2016 election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Previous to that election, based on the profile test I work with, if someone's scores were low in conformity and low in religion they were most likely a Democrat.
If they were high in conformity and high in religion they were most likely a Republican.
Rarely did anyone ask me about the other person's political affiliation before meeting them.
Since the coronavirus, people seem to be drawing lines in the sand on this issue and they are letting me know upfront that they cannot be compatible with someone who is not in alinement with them.
It is another reflection of how politics is effecting our lives, even our love lives.
Dear Donna,
I have been married twice and I am now contemplating getting married again.
The problem is, I felt so sure I was marrying the right lady when I got married the other two times and I don't want to make another mistake.
We have been together for four years and she is an amazing woman.
I love her and trust her and want to spend the rest of my life with her but I am concerned things might change if we get married.
She is not pushing me to get married but we are Christians and marriage is what we both want eventually. She is very different from my other wives and I believe she loves and trust me as well.
How can I be sure I am not making another mistake? David
Dear David,
If there was a way to be sure you are marrying the right lady the divorce rate would not be 50%.
Four years is already a committed relationship and you probably learned from your two marriages the things you need and want in a relationship.
You said she is an amazing woman and you both love and trust each other.
Don't make her guilty by association because your other two marriages ended in divorce.
I hope third time is the charm and you both live happily ever after!