Your reasons for exploring these uncharted waters, seem to revolve around being tired of waiting after five years to meet that monogamous relationship partner. I get it. We all want to be experiencing a delicious sex extravaganza with our partner. But just because all of the good men seem to have disappeared, that is not justification to accept a side piece or a diversion, or a friends with benefits or whatever. It seems like settling for crumbs because you’re so hungry instead of waiting for the entrée. Like you, I want an established intimacy with my partner to be able to be free to let my self go. I have experienced encounters outside of loving, committed relationships that were built to last, and they seemed to be missing so much that it made me sad and made me feel empty and hollow inside. I don’t wanna feel like that. It’s stinky messy, nasty business with people who are not in it long-term. Love is organic. You learn their smells and tastes and experience things on such a soulful and transcendent level. I want that. I’m not going to settle for less. Not recreational fun. Not poaching someone’s partner. Not sharing sloppy seconds. Not settling for a buddy with benefits. I want to feel what I only feel with someone that I love. I deserve that. I think you do too.