Apologies if this thread exists somewhere already, but I appreciate any tips & tricks you can give me.

Brief history: I'm one of those people who was never asked out in high school, no first kiss until I was quite tipsy in college (and that was all there was to that). Was so desperate for someone to want me that I flew to another state to meet someone from the 'net, who I subsequently married (I was VERY naive, and later found out he cheated from the get-go and never actually wanted to marry me). One post-divorce "relationship" (I pursued him) that I gave up on after 6 years because there was still no actual commitment and no indication that one would be made eventually. No real friends ... those I do make leave within a year or two (I only hear from people if they need something).

Given all that, I have a hard time believing that I can ever make any lasting connections, and it hurts. I realize this is trivial compared to what so many others go through, but I really need some help learning how to make and keep lasting relationships of any sort.

Sorry for the long post,
jayne_d_oh