I run into you all the time. You have red hair, wear a blue wool jacket and you seem to daydream even more than me. I'm working up the nerve to ask you what's on your mind. Did you notice me yesterday, or was it a trick of the light? — Another Smoker

We passed today - you on your way out, me on my way in. You had a ball cap on, some scruff and really nice eyes. We did the polite half smile when we made eye contact but I really wanted to stop you and make up some reason to talk to you. So... Hi. —Sad Stad Goer

Having just spent a week at a business conference in Toronto… I finally appreciate Nova Scotia. Thank you Onterrible, for opening my eyes, and thank-you Scotians for holding doors, not throwing your shoulders into me while I walk down the street and smiling for no reason all the time without it being a sign that you're on meth. —Used To Shit Talk Nova Scotia

And I really wish I had introduced myself instead of awkwardly smiling and saying I wasn't Ronnie. You were stunning. I feel like I missed out. —Someone Who Wishes He Had Spoken Up

Such a wonderful space, not restricted to your table, full of friends, and wonderful food. I go every morning for coffee, and dont think I'd ever go elsewhere, thank you to all the beautiful staff, and the wonderful friends who keep this place going. I will continue to eat your amazing breakfasts! much love to the good food! —Always Gettin' Coffee

Last year we dated.. This year, less then 24 hours after I messaged you for the first time in 9 months I see you in the lobby of the Dartmouth public library. There must be over a million rooms in HRM. I end up in the same room as you... I'm sorry I didnt smile as you did, I was caught off gaurd. It was nice, actually it fucking blew my mind to see you. Your smile.. wow, I felt so much in your smile. It was not just a friendly awkward smile. You glow.. I could write so much more but I guess I just want you to know that you glow when we encounter one another. I glow too! I smiled for the whole day. —Wineandfolktunes

To the young man I helped pull off of another in a fist fight in the dome this past weekend, Thank you. Thank you for letting me help pull you off of him, Thank you for not slugging me and coming to your senses quickly. Thank you for dancing with me and letting me hug you over and over. Thank you for making me feel better about myself as a person then I have in a long time. You are a good man, remember that. —Felt Like Wonder Woman

I was just leaving the open mic when you were stepping in. You said I should stay, and you were right! But I was concerned about my early morning class, so I rejected your suggestion and regretted it all the way home. By the way, I thought you were gorgeous. Next week I'll plan to be around longer. Hope you're there again! —Carrying My Beautiful Instrument

I've been reading these since the Pssst days, and I have always secretly hoped that someday I would log on to find that someone is admiring me from afar. But it hasn't happened, so I'll just unload all my baggage here instead. Years ago, I went through a difficult time and became a hardened person, incapable of loving anyone because I didn't love myself and I couldn't get past the pain and anger in my mind enough to feel anything else, or do anything positive with my life. Yet, somehow it was never hard to find love. I didn't deserve it, and I always ended up hurting someone, and yet they still wanted to love me. Now, I've been softened by single motherhood, humbled by love at its most powerful, and am finally proud of who I am and what I have accomplished as a mother and a person. I love myself, I love my beautiful child, and I love my life, but I'm missing something.

I want to love, and be loved in return. I'm smart, genuinely funny, affectionate, nuturing, and forgiving almost to a fault. On top of all of that, I'm an awesome cook. Maybe it's karma for the way I have hurt some really amazing boyfriends from my past, but now that I am a person who deserves love, I can't seem to even find that beginning connection with a person who fits into my life.

I feel like I don't want anything unreasonable: -Someone who would rather sit home and watch a movie while getting tipsy on a bottle of wine, than go out with a huge group to some overcrowded bar. -Someone who is thoughtful, and appreciates that I'm thoughtful. -Someone who knows how it feels to be played for a fool, and who would never inflict those feelings on another. -Someone who doesn't see my child, the most precious person in the world to me, as baggage. I am a strong woman who is a great mother, doing it all myself, not relying on welfare or waiting for a man to rescue me from poverty. -Someone who understands deep, visceral emotional pain. The kinds of memories that make you feel like the anger will burn a hole right through your chest, but manage to not let it rule their life or limit their personal successes and growth. Someone who doesn't have that element of being an old soul would never understand me, or why I sometimes get lost in my own head.

I want someone in my life who completes the picture, someone to rub my back at the end of the day and reassure me that things are ok, and that I'm not doing so bad. A partner in crime, a best buddy. Someone who not only accepts my quirks and oddities, but loves them.

Someone who is infatuated enough with me to post romantic inside jokes on a message board perhaps?

Does love like that even exist for a single mom? Or am I going to spend the rest of my life being treated like damaged goods by assholes who think they are doing me a favor by taking me on the occasional date? I've watched too many single moms settle for jerks just to get help with the rent, and I'd rather be alone forever than settle for less than me and my little one deserve.. —M. McP

Ladies, if you don't yet have a menstrual cup and are still carrying on with pads and tampons, let me just tell you that you are missing out!! I've been using mine for over a year now and could not be happier and will never go back. It is so convenient and comfortable and you never get that horrible smell that comes with wearing a pad. It's actually easy to forget you even have your period...just make sure you empty the cup before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning! YAHOOOOOO! Menstrual cups are awesome...I just wanted you to know! —Diva Forever