Mom's Advice

“Esther, get into the pool right now!” My mother called out. “No, Ma. I am really at a great part in this chapter.” I responded. “Esther, but he’s cute, and he looks about your age.” As I smiled at my mother through my sunglasses, she sat adjacent to me on her lounge chair, cheerfully contented.

While I enjoy visiting long weekend vacations since my mother, the former Singles Director of the Jewish Federation of the North Shore, who still thinks she’s Yenta the Matchmaker, moved to Palm Beach a couple of years ago after getting remarried. There are times I just want some peace and quiet.

I unwillingly put down my book. Since I started dating, my mother has always advised me to take whatever opportunities are available at that particular moment. So I knew enough not to kvetch and I jumped into the pool.

As I swam the crawl stroke I popped up beside him. I introduce myself. We start talking about the Florida weather, the beautiful community our parents live in, et cetera, et cetera. When I started to notice my fingers wrinkling up, I hardly noticed that Aaron and I were the only ones left in the pool. Aaron is 31, lives in upstate New York and is pursuing a PhD in a field that sounds very complicating. We decided to skip the early bird dinner with our respective parents and drove into downtown Delray Beach where young professionals hang out. We enjoyed an evening of conversation and dancing. I had a really nice time, but unfortunately there is no future with Aaron. As my younger sister would say, “he is geographically undesirable”, but it was interesting to meet a great guy.

From this dating experience I have learned that a mother can give good guidance. It is funny how we sometimes think our parents are from another planet when it comes to dating and relationships but in reality they can give valuable advice. Although, I literally needed to be pushed into the pool that afternoon, who knows, Aaron could be geographically desirable for one of my friends. Thanks Mom!