I have (37M) been seeing this nice lady (38F) for a month or two from OLD. We have a lot in common and are open minded about each others interests and seem to have a lot in common. To me she’s some kind of angel goddess in her own way if that sums up my feelings. And just like that I’m already breaking my own rule of not putting myself or a partner on a pedestal. The last time I felt an explosion of feelings and connections like this I was 25, and I ruined it spectacularly. I was also not emotionally healthy back then.

Anyway there are strings attached and my instinct suggests falling too hard will only lead to my own hurt, if not disaster or disappointment. She has a kid and a divorce, I have neither but a career and a few hobbies. I’m introverted and I relish my alone time but I’m also lonely and looking for a life partner. What are some good ways to play it cool and not get in a hurry pushing anything too fast?

TLDR; somehow managed to find a great spark on OLD and don’t want the honeymoon phase to let me self destruct like I once did before.