When You Fall for the Golden Retriever Guy: Right Man, Wrong Time!

After untangling myself from the web of Mr. Exec—a polished, ambitious, and undeniable narcissist. I felt ready to dip my toes back into the dating pool.

Swiping through the apps felt more like trudging through quicksand. Most profiles barely held my interest and the few that did made me want to pull my hair out with their lack of effort and low standards. Then, I stumbled across *him.* Let’s call him Max.

Max’s profile was refreshingly different. No dead fish, no juvenile pulling tongues, no fuzzy selfies, just a warmth that radiated even through a screen. He had this easy-going energy, the kind of vibe that whispered, *“I won’t emotionally drain you.”* It was a stark contrast to the brooding, intense type I usually fell for (think Voldemort vibes, minus the horcrux obsession).

Our first date was coffee. Simple, low-pressure, and perfect. I was nervous, half-expecting to regret leaving the house. But Max turned out to be all golden retriever energy. Open, friendly, and genuinely happy to be there. It was such a shift from my usual type that I wasn’t sure how to feel.

The second date sealed the deal. Drinks, dumplings, and ice cream—plus easy conversation and laughter—led to the realization that Max was exactly the kind of guy I claimed to want but never actually pursued. Someone kind, stable, and emotionally available. So I leaned into it, deciding to explore what it would feel like to be with someone who didn’t make relationships feel like a battle. Spoiler: I really liked it.

For three weeks, Max reminded me what it felt like to be cared for. He made me laugh, let me be vulnerable, and gave me a glimpse of what a healthy connection could look like. But as life so often does, timing threw us a curveball.

Max had just started a demanding new job and was juggling responsibilities as a devoted sole parent to two kids. Our timing wasn’t right, no matter how much we both wanted it to be. It was the classic “right man, wrong time” situation. Saying goodbye was gut-wrenching. Neither of us wanted to walk away, but we both knew we couldn’t give each other what we deserved in a relationship right now.

Though our time together was brief, it left me with something invaluable: hope. Max may not have been my forever, but he reminded me that kind, warm, and emotionally available people exist.

So here I am, back on the apps, swiping with a little more optimism—and maybe even keeping an eye out for a little more golden retriever energy. Because as much as I joke about Voldemort types, I’m starting to think I might be ready for a new breed of romance.