Help! Single/previously single folks, how did you approach your dating life?

Hey there!

29F in a major US city. In the past few years, I’ve solidified my certainty of being CF for life. I’m just now getting back into the dating pool (via dating apps) and could use others’ experiences and guidance as I navigate this unfamiliar territory.

Early yesterday a 32M asked me out to dinner tomorrow night for a first date, which I accepted. I only thought to check his family plans answer on the app last night. He wants kids. And I initially omitted my family plans from my profile because my expectations were basically zilch. I then edited my profile to share that I don’t want kids.

I texted him just now letting him know I checked this/updated mine and where I stand. I asked him what his thoughts are and he said that he definitely wants kids but it’s normally not something he would discuss until a few months in. I’m more so of the opinion that there’s no real point in us meeting each other if we’re at opposite ends of this spectrum, even if we have no clue whether or not we’d even hit it off.

Have any of you encountered a similar situation before? If so, how did you manage it?

I know what my gut is saying, but I’m also cognizant of the fact that one date with one guy doesn’t equate to agreeing to build a life together, lol. I do want to fall in love, find my life partner, and get married when the time comes, so my involvement in dating typically leans more serious, and I do have a good idea of what I want/need in a partner vs. not. But if there’s no biological clock ticking for me, are there any cons to not narrowing down my dating pool options just yet?