Dating as a solo dad with sons is like walking a delicate line between fatherhood and personal rediscovery. One moment, you’re explaining why a frog can’t live in the bathtub, and the next, you’re trying to navigate a conversation over dinner with someone who’s just met the most important people in your life.

The first time I brought up the idea of dating, my boys looked at me like I had announced I was running for president. “Who would you take on a date, Dad?” my oldest asked, wide-eyed. It wasn’t just about me anymore; I had two co-pilots on this journey, and their approval, their feelings, meant everything.

I remember one night, after tucking them into bed, my youngest whispered, “Dad, can she throw a football?” His innocence, his wish that whoever I met could be a part of our world, was both heartwarming and sobering. It reminded me that dating isn’t just about finding someone for me—it’s about finding someone who can love the mess, the chaos, and the little victories that come with raising two boys.

Dating as a solo dad means balancing it all—the school lunches, the scraped knees, and the hope that someday, someone else might just fit into our crazy, beautiful puzzle. And until that happens, I’ll keep teaching them how to throw a football, chase frogs, and remind them every day that they’re my number one team.