The qualities you seek in “a man to share your life with” do not have to match perfectly with the feelings behind “a man I would like to spend time with, just once.”

When sharing a home, you may want someone stable and responsible, with a similar attitude towards money, a compatible daily rhythm and values close to your own. These qualities form the precious foundation you have built for your life.

But feeling truly thrilled by someone is something else. You may admire him a little. Simply thinking about the next time you will meet can make the week ahead—and even the scenery around you—look slightly different. Those feelings belong to another part of life.

When you see a beautiful man, you recognise his beauty. You may be drawn to a man you can rely on. You may feel delighted when a kind man escorts you. These sensations do not disappear the moment you enter a relationship.

I once heard a woman who bought lottery tickets say, “I’m buying a dream.” She did not necessarily expect to win. Even so, she enjoyed the time spent imagining, “What if I did?” Perhaps the feeling is somewhat similar.

Perhaps this, too, is a form of entertainment that adult women are entitled to enjoy.