Summer of Love: Listener Dating Stories & Updates | Death, Sex & Money

Summer of 2018 Dating Journeys

• 🎯 Eight listeners shared their dating experiences over the summer of 2018, navigating romance, sex, and personal growth.
• 💡 Stories ranged from first sexual experiences and ghosting to managing grief while finding new love.

Vicki's Search for Romance and Freedom

• 💖 Vicki, 62, sought both great sex and a grand romance, exploring connections with three different men and a long-time friend.
• ⚖️ She grappled with the desire for a monogamous companion versus maintaining her freedom, ultimately enjoying her choices.

Cece's Unexpected Connection

• 💬 Cece, 37, initially seeking a partner without children, found herself unexpectedly falling for a man with two kids after a 5-hour phone call.
• ✨ She described the connection as an instant click, feeling giddy and knowing he was her future husband from their first date.

Thomas's New Identity Post-Divorce

• 💔 Thomas, 26, initially hesitant about dating after a difficult divorce, found himself falling for a friend.
• 🌟 He focused on establishing a new identity beyond being 'the divorced person,' acknowledging the past but not letting it define him.

June's Summer of Firsts and Polyamory

• 🚀 June, 21, explored her sexuality, becoming active with multiple partners and experimenting with a one-night stand.
• 🌱 She found polyamory rewarding but challenging, ultimately deciding against casual hookups to focus on meaningful connections.

Dan's Grief and New Relationship

• 🕊️ Dan, a widower in his early 40s, navigated dating while still grieving his late wife, Kristen.
• ⚠️ A conversation about naming a baby revealed the depth of his grief, prompting him to consciously separate past and present relationships.

Lewis's Dating App Frustrations

• 🚫 Lewis experienced constant ghosting on dating apps in Washington D.C., leading to demoralization and a focus on self-care and training for a half marathon.
• 🚶 He found solace in exercise and spending time with his dog to cope with the challenges of online dating.

Jesse's Shift to Simplicity

• 🛋️ Jesse, after dating men in open relationships, opted for a less complicated dating setup, valuing her full life with friends and activities.
• ✨ She found a lightness and a clean slate feeling in her current single status.

Miracle's Evolving Romantic Potential

• 💬 Miracle, in her mid-20s, explored a potential romance with a friend while also planning for business school.
• 🌟 She later completed her MBA, moved to Nashville, and found a new, unexpected partner, while remaining friends with her 2018 connection.

Listener Updates and Show Information

• 🗓️ Updates from Vicki, Jesse, and Miracle show their continued journeys in love and life.
• 🎙️ The episode concludes with acknowledgments of the production team and information on how to support the show through Slate Plus.