Moving on

Good heavens no, it is not wrong of you if that is what you want. I'm on my own too, but I am very happy that way whereas you need the love and company of a relationship and, it seems, hate to be alone. That is not being disloyal that is just taking care of yourself, as I'm sure your late husband would want for you.
However, I would be careful about giving your phone number ... can you perhaps give him an email address (maybe create a new and separate one to your main email using either hotmail or gmail or some such) rather than a phone number? And, if you do decide to meet up with him I would advise that you make it a very public place in the day time. Maybe you could suggest a coffee and a walk amongst others.

Agree with the above advice but I hope you meet up and start dating again. Why not!

Why not just pay the subscription for a month or so?
You'd be no more involved than you are now and it would give you time to think about what you really want.

I too was widowed younger than you, but do not want anyone else, my husband was everything to me and I would never meet anyone like him again. I do get lonely but know it passes. I know lots of people that do remarry, not one has said it was as good as being with their previous husband, but better than being alone.

I agree with Mcem.I am on my own,i had a very abusive marriage which thankfully ended in 1991,i have been alone since then,i couldn`t face another relationship.

I'm the same as you Cosmos. I was widowed at 54 in 1994, a couple of dinner dates over the years but never felt comfortable and realised that it wasn't for me.
If the truth be known I was looking for something I'd never find so have just been happy with the memories and my family.
I've been too long on my own to bother about another person in my life and after having nursed my late husband for nearly 6 years I'm not prepared to nurse another ! I'm here for my family now.

Totally agree with Esmeralda and Grameretto. Initially you are looking for male companionship and there is nothing wrong with that. As Esmeralda says setting up an email is sensible and tell someone you trust where you are going to meet. Good luck. ?

You have been through the internet dating scene before but a lot has changed in twelve years and you do need to take care.

Ask for his number and call him so that you can conceal your own. Explain why you want to do it this way. A decent man will understand why a woman needs to be careful.

Someone can seem very nice in those inital email exchanges but very different when you speak to them and you may not wish to take things any further. They don't always take no for an answer so make sure you have given nothing away that enables them to find you. Voice of expereince.

It's fine for you to want some male company again but don't be rushed into anything you don't feel comfortable with.

Thank you all for your advice. I had already set up a separate e mail account specifically for that. He has given me his "landline" number, so I may do as FountainPen suggests. I am being extremely cautious in what I do and I have told a close friend who will call me after 30 minutes to check that everything is ok if I decide to meet up with him. I am still unsure whether I am treading the right path or not, but only time will tell. There are a lot of good men out there looking for love, I just need to find him!

Please don’t expect to find what you say you need, you may, you may not, you seem vulnerable, take care

I wonder if, in addition to meeting Internet prospects, you could join real life clubs as well? Do you have local organisations?

Although I too was widowed, I never wanted anyone else but I did date eventually, for a little companionship on the clear understanding that the gentlemen knew it would only ever be that, nothing permanent.

I found that clubs and societies not only gave me an interest for myself, but allowed me to judge better, face to face, who was on the level.
I wish you well