Is this the real thing?

So, now I've had 3 dates and lots and lots of conversation via phone and IM with this new man in my life. He is dear, and I feel so much potential for us becoming best friends and lovers in the near future. I'm not really sure about another marriage, given my track record...

And, I don't want to rule it out, either, should it be what he desires. It would certainly benefit me in certain ways, but I'm not looking for that primarily. I'm looking for the same thing he is: a best friend and lover in the same person, someone with whom to enjoy life. For as long as possible.

It is so wonderful that he seems to be fulfilling all of the deepest desires I always had from a man, for attention, compliments, affection, a feeling of being protected and cherished, etc. And that he is very transparent, open, honest, willing to discuss anything, including feelings. And, on his part, he tells me that I continue to exceed his expectations, as well. He appreciates and honors me for my intelligence, as well as for my femininity.

There is no way to know what is to be. But, there is this: we make each other feel so much better than either has felt in a long time, and we continue to build trust and respect. And we have found only compatibility in every issue we have discussed so far. And then, there is the issue of the funny little "coincidences"...hard to explain, and maybe for now I will keep those things between the two of us. Anyway, it's all about timing, luck, maybe even fate.

I still have some restraint and self-control in my emotions this time, probably because I don't want to set myself up to hurt the way I did the last time...but, I feel the very real possibility that we could be very deeply in love one of these days. As much as I'm trying to take it slow, it becomes more and more difficult to resist my feelings. And hearing that he is going through the same feelings is building my trust and affection, as well.