What does it mean by “taking it slow” during dating?
Looking back at my dating history, I realized all my affairs and relationships developed very quickly. When I was younger, I was only into casual hookups because I knew I wasn’t in the place to develop feelings. I recently broke off a 5 year long term relationship. Everything happened very quickly at the beginning of the relationship, but due to Covid and personal issues, we had to endure a long distance relationship. Towards the end, I was trying to find a way out.
I’m now back into my single era and not looking for a relationship. However, cue my colleague’s best friend entering the scene. Whatever was in the air whenever he was around was the reason why I broke off my relationship. I didn’t trust myself when I was in a relationship. As a single girl, I can do whatever I want. The temptation whenever he was around was too much.
Fast forward to returning to LA. He asked to meet up for drinks and we ended up back at his place. If the situation was different, we would’ve just been a hookup/a one night thing. However, he’s my colleague’s best friend and my colleague told him that I’m off limits or not to make things awkward. The guy said that he respects me too much and that he actually likes me. He even asked if I thought we had a chance. I hesitated because I had been down the road before and I didn’t want to get my heart broken again. I said yes but that there was still a lot at stake so he said that’s why we should take it slow.
Fast forward 1 year later, we still talk often and I’ve developed more feelings. Every time I get anxious and wonders if he still likes me, I tell myself that we still have a chance because everyone dreams of being an enemies-to-lovers trope or a friends-to-lovers trope. I think we’re in the friends-to-lovers trope and I’ve gotten too close with his friends who are like my family. We’re also very alike and like to do similar things like watching and talking about movies to the point where his best friend questioned if we watch movies together. No, we just like doing similar things.
I appreciate that he’s about experiences and reminds me not to take life too seriously. He constantly reminds me to go with the flow in life.
Hiraeth 