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The Place to Go for Emotional Support — Page 114

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Time
 (Edited)

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

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Yeah what Dom said. If you need to tell her be light about it. But to add to what he said about waiting, don’t wait too long. Spending years in love with your best friend who doesn’t feel the same is far worse than not having a best friend. Take it from me.

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Possessed said:

But to add to what he said about waiting, don’t wait too long. Spending years in love with your best friend who doesn’t feel the same is far worse than not having a best friend. Take it from me.

agreed.

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Collipso said:

Possessed said:

But to add to what he said about waiting, don’t wait too long. Spending years in love with your best friend who doesn’t feel the same is far worse than not having a best friend. Take it from me.

agreed.

Y’all say that now, but give fourteen years of isolation a try. . . .

Author
Time

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

Author
Time

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

Starting the whole “I’m interested in you, and I was wondering if it was mutual” conversation with a professional of love is too much. It is more likely to be perceived as obsession.

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I’d recommend being straightforward in a respectful, tactful way as soon as possible. That’s my advice.

The Person in Question

Author
Time

dahmage said:

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

Starting the whole “I’m interested in you, and I was wondering if it was mutual” conversation with a professional of love is too much. It is more likely to be perceived as obsession.

Perhaps.

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Time

It’s extremely obvious how professing love for someone could potentially creep somebody out.

The Person in Question

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 (Edited)

Handman said:

I still think I should talk to her. That will happen on Saturday… However I will definitely try to keep it a bit lighter… we will see.

Dude. I’m thinking deep thoughts for you here. I’m trying to pan the scene and read between all things said and unsaid. And I’ve come up with a bit of a scenario.

So here’s a tip you should try on before saying words that can’t be unsaid.

If you love someone you usually think about them a lot. And in thinking about them a lot you’re usually further into the emotions and the feeling of connection that makes you want to be open and vulnerable to them than you’d be otherwise. That’s normal. That’s typical. But.

There’s a problem though. Because if the other person isn’t on that level? Well holy hell can all those words feel too heavy if said in the wrong order. I mean they can erase even a slight positive vibe because the realities don’t line up.

My strong advice to you is that talking deep is murder to an early relationship. I mean it’s like we complain of Lucas: show us, don’t tell us. Talk is the cheapest way to share feelings. It’s a commitment of words without actions.

But a girl wants to be the one to open up her love to you. She wants to lend that gift. She doesn’t want it forced from her. Or pulled out of her. She wants to show you with her eyes. With her smile. With a slight touch of her hand. With a closeness of her body brushed against you. With a welcoming of you into her deeper life step by step.

The trouble with words is they try to use logic to frame emotion. And man that doesn’t usually work until the feelings are already there for both of you. She’s got to be feeling giddy when you’re near her. She’s got to be craving your hand over hers. She’s got to be wanting you to be near and keep her company in dark times and share fun with you in light. She’s got to be feeling a whole lot of chemistry that might even make her a bit nervous when you’re nearby.

So I’m saying watch for these things. Chart these things. Look for the body language. Watch for the evidence before cornering her with words. I mean when you guys are in a group does she try to sit near you? Does she share any meaningful looks with you that only you and she would understand? Does she feel comfortable talking to you about things she doesn’t share with the group? Does she listen closer to what you say than others? Does she laugh even at your worst jokes? I mean does she seem to be trying even a little too hard now and then?

If you think about all the time you’re with her and come up negative on all of that? Then you’ve got to step up your game in a different way. Don’t do the great reveal until the final act. That’s so guy-like to want to cut right to the chase. But with girls? They like their trip into love to take place scene by scene. I mean have you ever watched a chick flick? Ever waded through a romance novel? The loving confessions come at the end. Never at the beginning. I mean the outbursts of true connection and real feeling are usually non-verbal. The clues are laid out in order. The words come later. The stringing of it all together into a love song comes with the closing credits.

So be careful.

Peace

K. Let’s have this ride.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

People sometimes get freaked out when you tell them you love them even when you’re in a relationship with them. The word carries a lot of weight, and hearing it from a friend can definitely be extremely overwhelming and off-putting.

Imagining myself on the other side, hearing a friend tell me they love me would absolute freak me out and probably discourage me from a potential relationship. Whereas, if they came to me rationally and said they might have feelings, and wonder if I ever considered the same, I would probably think on it a bit and might even go for it (depending on my preexisting feelings for them). The thing is this: when someone tells you they love you, it puts an immense pressure on the person being told. They feel this immense need to respond - like they need to either say it back, or reject right away. Chances are incredibly high that she won’t feel the same - in terms of “loving,” again very strong word - so she’ll feel the need to reject it outright. Whereas, if someone comes in a much less direct and emotionally charged way, saying ‘hey, I might have feelings,’ there’s a space where there isn’t that feeling of pressure to either reciprocate or reject, and they can just think about it without feeling like they’ve been cornered.

Author
Time

DominicCobb said:

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

People sometimes get freaked out when you tell them you love them even when you’re in a relationship with them. The word carries a lot of weight, and hearing it from a friend can definitely be extremely overwhelming and off-putting.

Imagining myself on the other side, hearing a friend tell me they love me would absolute freak me out and probably discourage me from a potential relationship. Whereas, if they came to me rationally and said they might have feelings, and wonder if I ever considered the same, I would probably think on it a bit and might even go for it (depending on my preexisting feelings for them). The thing is this: when someone tells you they love you, it puts an immense pressure on the person being told. They feel this immense need to respond - like they need to either say it back, or reject right away. Chances are incredibly high that she won’t feel the same - in terms of “loving,” again very strong word - so she’ll feel the need to reject it outright. Whereas, if someone comes in a much less direct and emotionally charged way, saying ‘hey, I might have feelings,’ there’s a space where there isn’t that feeling of pressure to either reciprocate or reject, and they can just think about it without feeling like they’ve been cornered.

I understand that maybe they might feel like they are cornered and many times it may be better to say “I have feelings for you”, but sometimes saying “I love you” is right thing to say, depending on where the couple in question are in their relationship. I mean if you can’t I love you, how are you ever going to get to the stage in a relationship where you can ask the person to marry you?

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Time
 (Edited)

^ This. Probably the best put so far. And I love you Dom.

Sorry you had to find out like this mfm.

Author
Time

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

People sometimes get freaked out when you tell them you love them even when you’re in a relationship with them. The word carries a lot of weight, and hearing it from a friend can definitely be extremely overwhelming and off-putting.

Imagining myself on the other side, hearing a friend tell me they love me would absolute freak me out and probably discourage me from a potential relationship. Whereas, if they came to me rationally and said they might have feelings, and wonder if I ever considered the same, I would probably think on it a bit and might even go for it (depending on my preexisting feelings for them). The thing is this: when someone tells you they love you, it puts an immense pressure on the person being told. They feel this immense need to respond - like they need to either say it back, or reject right away. Chances are incredibly high that she won’t feel the same - in terms of “loving,” again very strong word - so she’ll feel the need to reject it outright. Whereas, if someone comes in a much less direct and emotionally charged way, saying ‘hey, I might have feelings,’ there’s a space where there isn’t that feeling of pressure to either reciprocate or reject, and they can just think about it without feeling like they’ve been cornered.

I understand that maybe they might feel like they are cornered and many times it may be better to say “I have feelings for you”, but sometimes saying “I love you” is right thing to say, depending on where the couple in question are in their relationship. I mean if you can’t I love you, how are you ever going to get to the stage in a relationship where you can ask the person to marry you?

  1. We’re not talking about people already in a relationship.
  2. Not every relationship ends (or should end) in people getting married. You’re right that saying “I love” tends to be necessary if you want to get married. Thing is, if you say “I love you,” then that could potentially imply you’re thinking long term commitment. And the other half might not be on that same page just yet. These things take time.
Author
Time

DominicCobb said:

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Warbler said:

DominicCobb said:

Handman said:

For those who have been following my current emotional dilemma… it seems lunch isn’t happening, but it’s just going to be us two and another friend at this big fair. She helped put together my costume and I bought her ticket. We’re carpooling… so I think I’ll start this talk on the way home. Enjoy the time we’ve got and go from there. Very nervous, but after I managed to cry (yes, I ended up forcing myself to cry yesterday, don’t tell Dom) I feel a little better.

Good for you, really. The crying I mean. I wish I could make myself cry, I’ve tried many times and it’s never worked. I have very inactive tear ducts and I appreciate every chance I get to make use of them - always a very cathartic experience.

Anyway, I’d caution you to slow way down with this friend. Based on your past posts here, it seems like a) you don’t have many friends or good friends, and b) you’ve had poor success in terms of dating. Which tells me it’s possible that due to the desperations of a limited pool, you may be jumping to a conclusion about your feelings for this friend that might not be up to snuff. I’m just speculating here of course. It may seem like you’re “in love” with her but that may not be the case. There’ve certainly been times in my life when I thought I loved someone and couldn’t think of anything but them for weeks or months. But, when things inevitably didn’t work out, and I got over it, I was able to look at things with a critical eye. In some cases, yeah I was in love. But in most, not at all. Basically what I’m saying is I wish I had someone to knock some sense into me and tell me to actually consider if it made sense for me to be with that person.

All I’ll say is, if you struggle for friends as much as you say you do, I’d be very careful about jeopardizing a relationship with someone you consider your best friend, which is typically exactly what a declaration of love would do. In my opinion, you should not say anything and wait it out and see if your feelings are true, and if it seems like there’s a possibility she feels the same. If you absolutely must tell her (which again, don’t recommend), I’d be careful not to make a big deal of it and not to say that you “love” her, just indicate that you might have feelings for her and ask her how she feels - there’s a precarious line between seeming honest and seeming creepy.

When did telling someone you love them become something creepy?

People sometimes get freaked out when you tell them you love them even when you’re in a relationship with them. The word carries a lot of weight, and hearing it from a friend can definitely be extremely overwhelming and off-putting.

Imagining myself on the other side, hearing a friend tell me they love me would absolute freak me out and probably discourage me from a potential relationship. Whereas, if they came to me rationally and said they might have feelings, and wonder if I ever considered the same, I would probably think on it a bit and might even go for it (depending on my preexisting feelings for them). The thing is this: when someone tells you they love you, it puts an immense pressure on the person being told. They feel this immense need to respond - like they need to either say it back, or reject right away. Chances are incredibly high that she won’t feel the same - in terms of “loving,” again very strong word - so she’ll feel the need to reject it outright. Whereas, if someone comes in a much less direct and emotionally charged way, saying ‘hey, I might have feelings,’ there’s a space where there isn’t that feeling of pressure to either reciprocate or reject, and they can just think about it without feeling like they’ve been cornered.

I understand that maybe they might feel like they are cornered and many times it may be better to say “I have feelings for you”, but sometimes saying “I love you” is right thing to say, depending on where the couple in question are in their relationship. I mean if you can’t I love you, how are you ever going to get to the stage in a relationship where you can ask the person to marry you?

  1. We’re not talking about people already in a relationship.

DominicCobb said:

People sometimes get freaked out when you tell them you love them even when you’re in a relationship with them

  1. Not every relationship ends (or should end) in people getting married.

agreed.

You’re right that saying “I love” tends to be necessary if you want to get married. Thing is, if you say “I love you,” then that could potentially imply you’re thinking long term commitment. And the other half might not be on that same page just yet. These things take time.

true.

Author
Time

Yeah, good luck. At the end of the day, you need to make your own choices, especially when it comes to relationships. People on the internet don’t know the reality of your situation.