Do I or Don't I????

As a single mom there are a lot of challenges I face...One of the biggest ones is also the most scariest.....dating.....I've been divorced for over 3 years now, was engaged 2 years ago but that clearly didn't work out. Since then I haven't really dated much. Went out with this one guy (who I really believe was just using me) for a few months last year but nothing since. I've done the online thing but unless I wanna go out with someone who lives like an hour away there isn't much of a choice. My kids father isn't around, they only see him once a month. My daughter always asks "when is God going to give us a daddy?" My son says his Pap (my dad) is his daddy. It's just sad. I am blessed with a wonderful dad and older brother who do fill in, but bottom line is they want a dad and I want someone to love!........I have a friend who has liked me since we were 9, we've dated off and on for years but it hasn't ever worked out. Either I end it (for fear maybe) or he does. We are going out tonight. Guess maybe trying it again. I told him that I don't want either of us to get hurt (he is one of my best friends) so I was going to be completely honest with him, part of me wants to date him, but part of me feels like there is someone else out there (somewhere) for me. He thanked me for being honest and we both think it will help because now he knows why I won't commit. My parents like him as a friend but my dad has some issues with us dating. I think he's looking at long term and worried about how he will provide (he tends to spend rather than save) and such. Though I think my dad is also thinking of how this guy was 10 years ago (when we were in high school). So my big dilemma now is do I let go of the feeling of someone else and just commit to this friend or do I keep holding out??......Yesterday I had to have some tests done for my new job and he went with me to watch my kids. We spent most of the day together, getting the tests done, lunch and walkin around the mall, even grocery shopping (for his mom)! It was really nice. My kids really like him. I don't know....I guess I'll just take it one day at a time and see what happens. At least he knows how I feel......We even joked that if we are still single in 5 years we will just throw caution to the wind and get married, no more playing around! Ugh.....being single just stinks!