A lifelong learning experience...

At an early age, my dad and granddad told me something to the effect of, once you get that first taste, you'll be chasing it for the rest of your life. Of course, they were referring to the female species. It's something that I plan on sharing with my boys, because no truer words have ever been spoken. Whether it's getting a hug in church from that older girl in the youth choir or some fresh thang stealing a kiss from you on the playground in elementary school, once you get that attention from that attention from the opposite sex at an early age and realize how it makes you feel on the inside, you'll after it, and more, forever.

But as us young men get older, reality sets in, much to our surprise. While flirting, getting numbers and trying to get some is all well and good and a part of growing up, somewhere along the line, we missed the memo about dealing with the emotional part of the female species. Part of me wants to think that this is God showing us his sense of humor. Kind of like his way of telling and showing us who really runs things. So when we have to dealing with that time of the month, pregnancies and just the weird emotions our lovely mothers, sisters, significant others go through, the clueless blank stare on our faces are to be expected.

"She" told me last night that where men mess up is when we attempt to fix everything. I understood completely. It is in our nature to be protectors, providers and in control of situations. It can be a gift and a curse. So when a smile is not on her face, when she doesn't appear content, we panic and don't know what to do. Sure, she says she's ok, but we don't believe it, or at least we're not sure. We hear the verbal, but the visual is not adding up. So we press the issue, which can make the situation work and all we're left with is awkward silences and still, not knowing what to do. So we go to the other room, we pick up the controllers to the playstation, we leave. We wait for that smile or giggle that lets us know all is well to return. Until then we wait - dumbfounded.

For whatever reason, I tend to think I can cure all things, like I'm Clark Kent or something. When what I need to do, is back off and relax a bit. I think all men should as well. Not saying we shouldn't be attentive, but have a better understanding of when to and when not to try and be a hero.

Women are naturally complicated, in a good way. It's part of their makeup. It's part of what makes them special. Us men will never get it, but for me, I think if we at lease are putting forth the effort to understand and learn, we should get some credit, right? My friend EJ suggests it's impossible for a woman to figured out. I like to think nothing is impossible, but I do know it will be a lifelong learning experience.