I was the same MoneyPenny and ktfran – no one really knew anything until about a month in. I had even met some of his friends before my friends even knew he existed. I think it was because I wasn’t stressed or worrying “will he text me, what did that mean, etc”. I have felt pretty secure in our relationship since the beginning.

Same feelings here. First husband was this emotional high but also blinded me to the real problems, and when I stopped feeling so crushingly in love, he was still demanding these overarching declarations. Like, needed to dig into my past to make sure all these little things were ‘firsts’ Or that I’d never had this connection before. It ended up being a part I played in my own life.

Obviously I had some strong andstill have strong sexual connection to RadioStar, but the ‘just knowing’ comes from feeling secure in this relationship and with myself. I’m the truest me while also being a we.

he asked “… so, are you guys dating or something?”

I can’t help but laugh at this! I wasn’t there of course so I’ll take your word for it that he was dismissive.

But it just makes me laugh. Last May, right after my boyfriend and I had decided to be exclusive, he invited me to his good friend’s wedding in Italy. So I booked time off work, I flew to Italy with him, we picked out a present together for the couple, etc.

After the wedding and during the party I was sitting with my boyfriend when the groom looked at us and was like, “So what’s the deal with you two? Are you guys like… dating now or something?”

And my boyfriend laughed and said “I should hope so, considering I invited her all the way to Italy with me!”

I feel like that’s a “young” / millennial thing. People in their mid 30s and older would just be like, hey, so how did you meet Dave? They have better social skills, and dating isn’t as weird / vague as I think it is with younger people.

Ironically…I did a comedy show last night where I have a small crush on the comic who was hosting it, and I brought a guy friend of mine along to watch and also to record me. I felt like I had to be very clear in saying that he & I were just FRIENDS to make sure the comic I low-key like wouldn’t think I have a boyfriend. Also my set was partially about being single so hopefully that drove it home – and I’m going to another show of his tonight without my friend – but it was this weird awkwardness because none of the other comics brought “outside friends” (they are all friends and I’m new, so I’m not really in the group yet). Plus, I like my friend and wanted to bring him…but it did feel like everyone thought he was my boyfriend because none of them were there with anyone.

Now if only I could just stop having a crush on this comic I probably wouldn’t care as much. Ha.

Hmm. I dunno. I wouldn’t think someone was being a jerk for asking directly if I was dating someone I came to a party with, but I’d find them socially awkward if they phrased it like that. I think you can often tell by how people interact if they’re together, and absent any telling signs, I think it’s common to ask how you know someone. As a side note, I’d only feel awkward answering the question if we hadn’t talked about where we stood yet. After the DTR talk, I don’t see why this would cause discomfort.

As far as introducing a guy to friends goes, I kinda feel like it’s a big deal, but simultaneously… not really. Any hesitation I have is because I don’t see the point in bringing someone around if he’s going to bolt in a month. I’d actually be more worried that the guy would think inviting him around friends means I think we’re more serious than we are.

A cute new neighbor recently moved into my building. He has a dog, too, and we bump into one another in our courtyard a lot when taking our pups out. He’s so nice and friendly, and I like our chats and sloooowly getting to know him a little bit. It’s fun. I feel like I so seldom have crushes these days that it’s fun when they happen.