Nine replies in a year, and about four of those were my own fault

Nine replies in twelve months. I know the number because I have kept a note, which I accept is a slightly grim thing to do. Of those nine, three became conversations, one became a meeting, and the meeting became nothing at all.

The angry part of this post: a lot of couples on here ask for effort and then do not answer. Not a no. Nothing. I have written specific, careful messages to posts that were still up three months later, and I understand that nobody owes me a reply, and I am also allowed to find it wearing.

The fair part: I have looked back at those messages and about four of them were bad. Too long, too pleased with themselves, one of them practically an application form. I answered a couple's post about the husband being ignored and then produced three paragraphs that only mentioned her. That one deserved the silence.

Thirty two, the city centre, three years at this and nothing to show for it, which I would rather say than dress up as being selective. What I am after is one couple, ongoing, nothing complicated. I will travel across the city, I can host if that matters, and I am free most evenings and all of Sunday.

If this reads as bitter, it is a bit. I would rather be honestly annoyed in public than write another cheerful message about how respectful I intend to be. If you have read this far and thought that at least he is not pretending, that is the entire pitch.