Narc vs a non narc...everyday behaviors

I've been NC for 17 months. I preface that, as there are new folks here, who might not know my story. Forgive me to the vets here, who are bored with me repeating that! :=P

Anyways...

I have been shy about dating, over the past few months. Let a few in here and there, occasional dates...and they fizzled out, as not necessarily seeing narc traits, but just no connection/chemistry, etc.

Ok, well, there's a guy right now...who I've been 'friends' with for a while. Like two years. Not best friends, but friends. We talk and see each other on occasion. Think things might be heating up a little more, but nothing romantic has been uttered.

But, here's why I share this.

Ever since I've become friends with him, he sends me a nice note during the day, saying he hopes I have a nice day, and what his day is going to be about. He usually does this before his day even begins.

I never really made much of a mental note of it, until thinking back to how I was treated by narcs. GAMES GAMES AND MORE GAMES would be how the day would typically start...with ALL of them.

They would say ...I'll call you/text you in the morning...and the morning would come and go, and nothing.

They would use the excuses...I was busy/you're being unreasonable! lol No, I wasn't being unreasonable. I was just dating assholes.

So, I share this about this new guy, because he is JUST a friend, not even a close one...and he is respectful. A gentleman. So far! lol But, I've known him a while, and he has nothing to gain but just does this out of kindness to me. A kind gesture. Something a narc knows nothing about, for if it doesn't bring him/her gain? They're out.

So, I share this, because when in doubt if what you are and were experiencing with your exes was narc-like, think about what I post here.

It's nice to have something normal to compare the past narcs to, because it's easy to mistake abnormal for normal, when that's mainly all you've dated.

If you have a similar story, please share it. I'd like to hear if you have experienced the same? :)