Dating : First date planned, then she cancels saying her father is dying

Dating : First date planned, then she cancels saying her father is dying

Hi guys, new here and in a bit of a pickle.

I’m 29yo, male, single for 7 months after a 5.5 year relationship. At a friend’s birthday party one girl (35yo woman) caught my eye. We had some light banter when she ordered at the bar where I was (on my initiative), but I didn’t have the nerve to speak to her again and wound up leaving early (my ride needed to go home). Next day I asked my friend to ask her if she’d mind going on a date, I get her number, we arrange a phone call.

She wound up calling me first (I was in delay), we talked for over an hour (it was a really lovely conversation that just seemed to flow on its own, I liked her), and we set up a date a few weeks into the future. We just exchanged a few texts on my initiative during those weeks, nothing crazy.

2 days before the date she tells me she has to cancel, her father’s in the hospital and she wants to be with him. The next day I ask her how her father is, as I thought she sounded rather serious. Turns out he’s been terminally ill for some time and that his condition suddenly worsened. She promised to call during the next week, but she didn’t.

She’s going through what must be one of the most difficult things to happen in her life, I’m so sorry for her. I’ve lost one of my parents but I was too young to really feel the impact when it happened. I can only imagine what’s she’s going through.

I haven’t tried to contact her, figured she needs this time for herself and her family.

Reddit, I’m torn here. On one hand, I barely know her and don’t want to be pushy – she’s got more serious things on her mind than dating right now and if she wants to date she’ll let me know. On the other I do think we had a real spark (but I admit I’ve been known to mistake friendliness for romantic interest) and maybe she’d appreciate it if I at least let her know my thoughts are with her. What do you think?