When you have a good friend of the opposite sex, there's a chance you may one day be faced with the idea of transitioning from friends to dating. You might find yourself falling in love, or you might decide to try being friends with benefits. Either way, mixing romance (or sex) with dating is sure to bring big changes to your relationship.
Making the switch
Often the way you first broach the subject is the hardest part of the transition from friends to dating. Do you talk about your feelings directly? Do you make a move and see what happens?
Your best approach for transitioning to romance depends on the type of friendship you already have. If you are honest about the way you are feeling, it will be much easier to approach the subject while still respecting your friend's feelings.
Friends with benefits
Good friends already have so much in common that it's tempting to add sex to the relationship, even when there's no intention of dating. However, these "friends with benefits" relationships often become complicated quickly. What happens when your friend finds someone else he or she wants to date? What if stronger feelings develop for one friend, but not the other?
To avoid damaging a good friendship, make sure you are both aware of the strong emotions that sex is likely to bring. Even if the romantic relationship doesn't work out, you have a better chance of staying friends if you're honest with each other from the beginning.
Dating your best friend
Friends who have seen each other through good and bad times have a strong basis for a romantic relationship. Yet this shared history doesn't mean it will be easy to transition from friends to dating.
People are different in a romantic relationship than they are in a friendship. The same behavior that is fine for a friend may not live up a person's expectations for a romantic partner, especially once sex enters the picture. This can lead to the same minor arguments that spring up between other new couples, although the previous friendship may make it easier to get through the rough patches.
The transition from friends to dating can be a little rocky, but it may be well worth the risk. Falling in love with your best friend can lead to a happy life together.
Be warned: If you don't consider how dating a friend will affect your friendship over the long haul, you may be in for heartbreak. |
Leave town for awhile? Sure! Get a totally new hairstyle? Well, maybe not. Here, the best - and worst - impulses to pursue in the wake of heartbreak. |
It's normal for two people to become more than friends, especially if they spend a lot of time together. |
When dating a friend or wanting to be more than friends, there are possible risks of being friends with benefits. |
Here, five stealthy ways that your pals can help you meet even more great people. |
Ending a romance is tough, whether you've been dating for weeks or years. Ease the stress with this sign-by-sign guide. |
Did you know that your best pal can reveal what kind of person you'll click with romantically? Learn all about it here. |
If you've got a friend in mind that you wouldn't mind getting tangled up in the sheets with, consider the pros and cons of being FWB (friends with benefits) before you give it a go. |
