Relationship advices

Trust and Jealousy • 2mo ago

I was eavesdropping.

M26 So, bear with me—I realize I shouldn’t have been checking her phone, but it drew me in like the Green Goblin mask. I picked it up and opened Snapchat, where I noticed she had a conversation with a guy from two weeks ago that I’ve never heard of. I opened it, but there was nothing there, so I scrolled through and found a bunch of videos of this guy that she had saved. They were all from before we started dating, but it unsettles me that she was in contact with him so recently. I know I shouldn’t have snooped, but given that we’ve been together for over six months, should I be worried? What do you think I should do next?


Sexual Problems and Intimacy • 2mo ago

My boyfriend spoke to me disrespectfully.

**Did My Boyfriend (18M) Really Mean What He Said About My Body (18F)?** My boyfriend and I are approaching our one-year anniversary soon. I've always struggled with insecurities regarding my labia. Last night, after a sweet moment where he was rubbing my feet—something he knows I love—our conversation took a turn. While we were still naked, he suddenly asked, “Have you ever thought about doing something about these?” while pointing to my labia. I tried to brush it off and admitted that I had considered it, mainly because sometimes the length makes cleanliness a challenge. I also explained that the surgery is risky and costly. Then he made a really hurtful joke comparing my labia to misformed, wrinkled balls, starting with “no offense,” which only made it worse. He has never commented negatively about my body before; he’s usually very affectionate and appreciative of me. The only thing he’s mentioned is that he finds my pubic hair a little uncomfortable due to its coarseness. So his comments about my labia caught me completely off guard. For context, I’ve battled severe body dysmorphia in the past and have even contemplated self-harm regarding my labia. While he didn't know the full extent of this, I had mentioned being self-conscious about it. Afterward, I explained how deeply his remarks affected me, and he sincerely apologized multiple times, expressing regret. He reassured me that he loves me as I am and wasn’t serious about suggesting any changes. He felt ashamed and wants to support my healing process. I told him I was hurt and needed time to come to terms with what happened. He has always been understanding and supportive, and considering that we are both neurodivergent, he is typically very accommodating to my needs. I genuinely want to forgive him, but I worry if he truly dislikes my labia and perhaps other aspects of my body. If he does feel that way, I’m unsure how I could feel comfortable being naked around him again. And if it was just a thoughtless joke, how can I move on, and how can he help me heal? **TL;DR:** My boyfriend made a hurtful joke about my labia after an intimate moment. He’s usually so kind and empowering, but now I’m concerned that he secretly dislikes my body. How can I understand his true feelings? If it was just a bad joke, how can I heal, and what can he do to support me?


Trust and Jealousy • 2mo ago

How can I request my boyfriend to stop bringing one of his friends around me?

I've been dating my boyfriend (24M) for 8 months, but our relationship is somewhat complicated due to our past from a situationship 6 years ago that lasted for 2 years before I cut off contact. We reconnected about 9 months ago, allowing me to reestablish friendships with some of his friends as well. Approximately 5 years ago, one of his friends (24M) asked me to accompany him to a party since he didn’t have a date. We were friends at the time, and I agreed under the condition that nothing inappropriate would happen. He assured me of that, claiming he’d never disrespect my boyfriend. However, later that night, while I was asleep, he decided to act differently and attempted to rub his erect penis against my back. I immediately rolled away, left before he woke up, and ended our friendship by removing him from all social media. When I confided in a girlfriend about this, she shared a similar experience with him, which helped me feel more determined to sever ties. Years later, I still had feelings for my current boyfriend and reached out to him. He was thrilled, and we eventually began dating. Early on, he mentioned his friend, which made me uneasy. I didn’t want to elaborate, so I simply expressed that I didn’t particularly like one of his friends. My boyfriend said he didn’t want to know any more details, so I left it at that. The friend moved abroad for a time, but he’s recently returned, and I’ve had to interact with him a few times. It’s been awkward; he acts as if we’re close despite our history. My boyfriend mentioned him in front of a mutual friend of ours who also had a negative experience with this guy, and when he suggested they would get along, my friend quickly said, “No, we don’t like [his name].” However, my boyfriend didn’t pick up on the hint and continued to speak highly of his friend. My friend believes I should tell my boyfriend the truth—that his friend isn’t as great as he thinks. I'm unsure how to approach this topic. I worry about potentially upsetting my boyfriend or making the conversation take a turn that could hurt me as well. I feel guilty for withholding this information, but I'm at a loss about what to do. Any advice on how to handle this situation?


Communication Problems • 2mo ago

My boyfriend (18M) has been acting distant lately, and I'm unsure how to handle it.

We've been together for almost six months now, but lately, he's been acting distant and unresponsive. It feels like he suddenly stopped expressing his affection—no more "I love you" or "I miss you," and his compliments have faded away. When I ask if he’s okay or if he still loves me, he reassures me that he does, but at times it seems like his feelings have changed. He doesn't initiate kisses like he used to, and instead, he just lies in my bed and falls asleep. When I check in on him, he simply says he’s tired. I'm a bit of an overthinker and I tend to need a lot of reassurance. Since I’ve been hearing "I love you" less often, it's really been weighing on me. I want to support him and I’m not ready to walk away, but I’m not sure how to address these feelings.


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

Please assist me.

I recently started dating a girl I’ve had a crush on for a long time. Normally, I don’t consider myself an awkward person, but now I find myself feeling anxious about hugging and kissing her. I’m trying to understand why I feel this way. In my past relationships, I met my partners online and felt confident enough to be affectionate when we first met. However, this girl has been my best friend for nearly four years, and I wonder if that affects my nerves. I’m hoping to figure out why I feel so awkward and how I can overcome it.


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

Do guys prefer virgin girls?

I'm 29 years old and still a virgin. I'm curious—do guys find this off-putting when they first meet a girl? Is it considered strange? I’d love to hear your opinions!


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

Is the age difference inappropriate in high school?

To sum it up, I (16m) reached out to a girl (14f) without knowing her age; she initially seemed around my age. She first told me she was 16, which I believed, but later confessed she was actually 14. Here’s the dilemma: I usually don’t care much about what others think, as long as I’m comfortable with the person I'm with, but this situation has me feeling uncertain. She’s aware of my feelings for her—I’ve told her I think she’s beautiful since we started chatting. I really like her, but I’m unsure whether it’s socially acceptable for us to continue talking. While I generally disregard others' opinions about my choices, I’d like to hear some outside perspectives on this.


Low Self-Esteem and Personal Growth • 2mo ago

What causes men to lose interest?

Why? Why do men act this way? I need answers. I'm seriously considering ending my relationship with my first love (M17) while I (F18) feel so unlovable, almost as if I'm begging for affection at this point. I took a gap year after high school, while he completed his senior year. When we were in school together, we instantly connected; we fell head over heels for each other, spending entire days wrapped in each other’s arms in the park, laughing until dark. It was pure magic. We even took the step of losing our virginity to one another, marking this as a special sexual relationship. For me, it was incredibly meaningful, but for him, sex seemed to be less significant. I believe this was influenced by his heavy consumption of porn, which may have contributed to feelings of disappointment towards me. I'm flat-chested, and I know his type leans towards curvy girls, which makes me feel inadequate. Even though he knew my body type, he often made comments that hurt, like, “I can’t wait for you to hit the gym and get a nice butt,” or “It’s okay that you have no boobs; you can still grow a nice bum.” I should have recognized these as red flags from the start, but I dismissed them, thinking he simply didn’t know how to communicate well since he had never had a girlfriend before. Nonetheless, these remarks made me insecure. I often found myself comparing myself to the girls at school I saw him notice. Still, he seemed to genuinely love me and always wanted to be around me. Now, I’m starting to wonder if his feelings were genuine or if I was just convenient for him. He would send me pictures of other girls with comments like, “Do your makeup like this” or “Wear this,” and I began changing my style and music preferences and using more makeup than I ever had just to please him. But it was never enough. I expressed how these comments made me feel, and he always insisted he was just “trying to help,” a notion I accepted at the time despite my doubts. Fast forward a year into our relationship, and I started to notice a shift. He wasn’t communicating like he used to; the late-night calls and all-day conversations faded away. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off and began questioning where the boy who loved me had gone. I started asking if he was cheating, why he wasn’t reassuring me, and why he didn’t seem interested in making me happy. He would redirect the blame onto me, saying I was starting arguments and that I was the one causing trouble, insisting I shouldn't worry because he loved me. Then, a month later, he revealed he wanted a break because he found other girls attractive. My heart shattered; it confirmed all my fears and doubts. The very next day, he changed his mind, promising he’d never leave me and that he loved me deeply. I wanted to believe him, but my trust was shaken, and my insecurity kept me from walking away. But now, it feels even worse. He seems completely uninterested, hardly calls anymore, and it's shocking how indifferent he can be when I would give anything for him, despite how he's treated me. I feel lost. If I lose him, I can't bear the thought of seeing him move on with the very girls I worried about throughout our relationship. I’m doubting if I’ll ever find love again, and I’m confused. Why was I attractive to him in the first place if I don’t fit his ideal type? I feel completely heartbroken. Please, I need advice.


Long-Term Relationships and Marriage • 2mo ago

Am I indifferent or confident?

**Summary:** My marriage is facing significant challenges, yet I remain surprisingly calm. How can I tell if I'm genuinely secure in our relationship or simply indifferent? I'm a 32-year-old woman who has been on a personal journey this year after experiencing a minor mental breakdown in May. With the help of a therapist, I’ve been addressing various issues in my life. Initially, I believed that my marriage was the sole positive aspect of my life. Now, six months later, I’m recognizing several aspects of my marriage that bring me unhappiness, which I’ve been suppressing. My husband and I have been together for eight years, married for four. I’ve begun discussing the areas I want to improve with my husband, who is 40. He has reacted calmly, but he has also brought up some of my behaviors that hurt him. I can understand his perspective, though I wouldn’t have reacted the same way. I apologized for causing him pain and am committed to making changes. However, we're delving into serious issues—like a lack of intimacy, feeling uncared for, and feeling unsupported—yet I feel remarkably numb about it all. For instance, when I woke up at 3 a.m. to realize he hadn’t come home, I had to consciously decide to check on him instead of just going back to sleep. I can't determine if I am simply secure and confident we’ll find a way through these problems or if I’m indifferent and accept the possibility of divorce. I would appreciate any guidance on how to navigate this situation.


Trust and Jealousy • 2mo ago

I'm uncertain about how to handle my feelings and I can't determine which choice is more immature.

I've been in a relationship with my 18-year-old girlfriend for six months now. A little while into our relationship, I discovered that she still has feelings for her ex, who is in classes with her at school. Two months ago, I asked her directly if she still liked him, and she replied no, saying she just misses what he could offer her compared to what I can right now. Then, about a month ago, her ex came to school looking sharp with a new haircut, and she admitted that she was attracted to him. It's important to note that he's been a friend of hers for most of her life and is a twin. I'm torn between letting my insecurities and trust issues influence me or having a conversation with her about how I feel. The thought of her still having feelings for him while they talk nearly every day really bothers me, especially since he was somewhat toxic in their past. I know my age might be impacting how I view this situation, but it still hurts to hear that she likes another guy. Should I confront her about it, or just keep trying to navigate through these feelings?


Infidelity • 2mo ago

I'm a 25-year-old female and I haven't been able to get past the album of half-nude pictures (including one of my ex) that I discovered on my boyfriend's phone about six months ago. Any suggestions on how to handle this? :(

Six months ago, I went to make the bed before work and discovered my boyfriend’s old phone hidden under the pillow. We both know each other's passwords, and I had never felt the urge to snoop before, but I found it strange that he had left it there before taking a shower. Curiosity got the better of me, and when I unlocked it, I found an album open with pictures of partially clothed girls. Most of them were "friends" and other women from Instagram, including an ex of his who was fully dressed and kissing another friend— that one hit me the hardest. He had even gone through my phone to take a picture of an old gym photo of me when I was 18. When he got out of the shower, I confronted him, and he burst into tears, apologizing profusely. He got rid of his old phone and deleted his Instagram account altogether. However, I can’t shake the feeling that we hadn’t been intimate in two months, and knowing he was looking at those photos really bothers me— he denies that he was using them for pleasure and claims he doesn’t understand why he had the album in the first place. I had also expressed before how uncomfortable I felt about him following so many scantily clad women on Instagram. Has anyone experienced something similar? I love him deeply, but I struggle to get past what happened and often feel insecure and unattractive because of it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :'(


Infidelity • 2mo ago

My boyfriend may have cheated on me while he was intoxicated.

My boyfriend (M24) told me that he might have cheated on me while he was at a rave on Saturday night. He mentioned there's a 50/50 chance he did because he was under the influence of drugs and “wasn’t himself.” He said his friend gave him what he thought was cocaine, but it ended up being ketamine. He claims he can't remember anything from that night and wants me to forgive him if he did cheat, insisting he would never do something like that when sober. I'm feeling completely lost. We've been together for over five and a half years, and I envisioned a future with him—marriage and kids. Now, I’m grappling with feelings of betrayal, anger, and devastation. My greatest fear has always been being cheated on without knowing it, and he knows this all too well. My previous boyfriend was unfaithful, and now I feel like I'm stuck in a nightmare. I can't shake the thought of him being with someone else while he was with me, and it makes me feel sick. He keeps suggesting I shouldn't be this upset because he wasn't in the right state of mind, but he still made the choice to go out and get into that situation. Am I being unreasonable or overly dramatic for considering ending things over this? It feels like a deep betrayal. I’m uncertain about how to proceed and would appreciate any advice.


Long-Term Relationships and Marriage • 2mo ago

Lack of dynamics in a long-distance relationship.

I'm 18 years old and in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend, who is 19. We broke up four months ago due to our immaturity. Recently, she reached out to me, and I feel that we've both grown up a bit, so I really want to give our relationship another shot. However, I’d like to ensure we have fun and keep things engaging, even through chat. The problem is that our conversations have become a bit monotonous—just talking about our days, what we did, and how much we miss each other. So, my question is: how can I make our relationship more dynamic and interesting?


Family Conflicts • 2mo ago

Advice on family relationships and sibling dynamics

My brother's girlfriend comes over to our family's house almost every day. Although she rents a room nearby, she stays with us about 3-4 days a week. She doesn’t contribute to anything, from meals to household bills—my family covers all the expenses. She interacts with everyone except me, and I find her behavior rude; I've had a negative impression of her since the beginning. My family is even willing to let her live here and is planning to pay for her upcoming trip with us overseas. As a sibling, am I wrong for disagreeing with this situation? I think it’s important to establish some boundaries. They’ve only been together for less than two years and have had numerous arguments, but that’s their issue. I just wanted to provide some context.


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

18-year-old seeking guidance on how to meet and connect with women.

I haven't had much luck with dating. I've connected with a few girls who seemed genuinely interested; we would text every day. However, after a few weeks, that communication dwindled to almost nothing. I'm unsure how to maintain their interest, and I struggle to meet new people. It feels like I'm stuck. I know this might come off as forward, but I really want to be in a relationship, yet it seems like no one is interested in me. How can I become more socially engaged with women? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Trust and Jealousy • 2mo ago

The other day, I found myself looking through my wife’s phone...

My wife, 24, and I, 24, have been married for three years. Recently, I decided to check her phone. Before anyone jumps in with comments about privacy and boundaries, let me clarify: our relationship is strong, and this wasn’t driven by suspicion or a desire to find something. We have an open phone policy, which means we can use each other’s phones freely. While browsing her Snapchat, I came across saved messages from some of her past hookups and friends-with-benefits from college (there were 44 in total). I found some photos and videos she had sent, as well as her former premium Snapchat account where she shared nudes to earn extra cash during her college years. Surprisingly, this didn’t bother me; in fact, it was somewhat arousing. She has no idea I went through her phone or what I discovered. Now I’m unsure whether to bring it up or keep it as my secret. TLDR: I found old nudes of my wife that she sent to other guys.


Sexual Problems and Intimacy • 2mo ago

My boyfriend, who is 30, may have a tendency towards pornography addiction. I'm 28.

My partner and I have been together for over five years. Recently, we bought a home together, and it feels like we're living the married life. Our relationship has always been very intimate; in the early days, we were intimate about four to five times a week, usually two times per session. I know that things can change over time, but the only significant shift in our relationship is that we now live together. We both still have the same jobs and schedules, with no additional stressors that could be affecting his sex drive. However, over the past few months to a year, our intimacy has drastically decreased to maybe twice a month, if I'm lucky. I've talked to him about it, asking if he thinks it could be related to his testosterone levels or if I’ve done something wrong. He insists that it’s not either of those things. I’ve caught him multiple times browsing porn sites and other adult pages, so I know he’s still engaging in self-pleasure. I've jokingly mentioned that he can find time for that but not for us, and he usually just laughs it off, saying we’ll make time tomorrow. I can't help but feel overlooked and unattractive, almost like a toy that has been put away. It’s puzzling to me that he would choose to watch a couple of videos instead of sharing a real intimate experience with me. It really hurts and frustrates me to be in this situation right now. I'm worried that this could be a glimpse of what happens in marriages, or worse, that he might have fallen out of love with me or is interested in someone else (though I believe I would notice that). Normally, I'm good at reading his feelings, but I’m completely lost right now. What should I do?


Communication Problems • 2mo ago

What did he give me?

So, based on what he said, they are: “Technically tangible.” It’s an experience. We're heading to a place that's not particularly exciting, and it's on the Las Vegas Strip. Sort of. We’ve never talked about it before, so I’m puzzled as to why he believes I'll be thrilled. What did he get for me? Curiosity can be dangerous.


Breakups and Divorces • 2mo ago

I'm a 19-year-old female, and I'm starting to lose feelings for my boyfriend, who's 20. Should I break up with him or wait it out?

I've been with my boyfriend for nearly three years. We started as good friends in high school and eventually began dating. We both attended community college, and now I've transferred to my dream university. Since my school is local, we're not in a long-distance relationship, but it feels like we might as well be. He is truly amazing—one of the best partners I could ask for. He loves me deeply, treats me with kindness, and for over two years, my feelings for him were incredibly strong. However, since starting university in September, our time together has decreased, and our conversations have become less frequent due to our busy schedules. I find myself not missing him like I used to when we weren’t hanging out, and sometimes I feel annoyed when I receive his texts and don’t feel like responding. He hasn’t done anything wrong, so I feel guilty for my feelings, but I’m beginning to wonder if I still love him. I know that if you fall out of love, the right thing to do is to break up, but that would hurt us both deeply. He doesn’t have many close friends and views me as his main support, especially during tough times. I worry about how he would handle a breakup, given his self-esteem issues. Plus, I’m anxious about regretting my decision later on since he plans to transfer to my university next year, and I wouldn’t want him to rethink that choice—it’s a great school for his major. I’m considering two options: ending our relationship now to avoid stringing him along or waiting to see if my feelings change, as they might just be a reaction to the stress of a new school. I really need some advice!


Communication Problems • 2mo ago

My Girlfriend (45F) Keeps Giving Me Wedgies (18M)

For context, she is my mom’s former colleague, and we began chatting after I turned 18, so there's nothing inappropriate about our relationship. Over the past six months, she's taken to sneaking up behind me and giving me wedgies, which means she pulls my underwear up into my backside. I've asked her to stop multiple times, but she hasn’t listened. I realize it may sound trivial, but she’s significantly taller and stronger than I am—5’11 compared to my 5’4. What would be an effective way to express that this bothers me?


Sexual Problems and Intimacy • 2mo ago

Obvious object of desire: when to walk away.

I'm a 34-year-old woman and my boyfriend is 35. We've been together for two years, and I’m currently pregnant. Unfortunately, my sex drive has completely diminished, and intimacy has become painful for me. Despite knowing how I feel, my boyfriend insists on having sex. I used to give in and just lie there, but it left me feeling degraded and less attracted to him, as if I were merely a sexual object. Recently, I've been firm about saying no. We've had open discussions about it, and he admits that he feels frustrated and deprived. I told him that I've never felt obligated to have sex in a relationship before. He seemed surprised that my previous partners didn’t cheat on me. Now I'm left wondering if I should end this relationship. I’m expecting a child with him and I also have another child from a previous relationship with whom he shares a close bond. Should I stay for the sake of the kids and hope he changes his mindset? I’ve raised concerns about what would happen if one of us faced an illness that prevented sex, but he just brushes it off. His perspective seems immature to me, and I don’t want to be with someone who views me solely as a sexual partner, nor do I want a relationship that centers around sex.


Parenting and Raising Children • 2mo ago

Guidance

I'm on a date with my ex at the movies, and we're trying to rekindle our relationship. So far, the date has been going well. While watching the film, she brings up her son, mentioning that he doesn’t like to leave the house. I suggest it’s probably because he has a PS5 at home and feels more comfortable there; I can relate since I was a kid once too. Then she adds, “I wish he would leave the house sometimes, so I could have company over.” I can’t help but feel that she might be referring to someone other than me, which is strange since I've spent time with her both with and without her kid. Am I overthinking this, or is there something more to it?


Infidelity • 2mo ago

finding it hard to accept his truths

To sum it up: I was single with a child after two long-term relationships that ended unsuccessfully. I thought I would have to settle for someone who was merely “acceptable.” All I wanted was a man who could be faithful, wasn’t an alcoholic, and didn’t belittle me—seemed like a reasonable request. Then, I met a man and fell for the version of him he presented. After five months of getting to know each other and merging our lives, we got engaged. Just a week into our engagement, I discovered I was pregnant, but sadly, I miscarried shortly thereafter. I felt heartbroken and let down, but my fiancé supported me completely during that time. Fast forward to six months later: I took another pregnancy test and felt a wave of happiness—until I found out that three months into our relationship, he had cheated on me. It wasn’t just emotional; it involved sex with another woman and sharing explicit messages with several others. This revelation made me question how well I really knew him. I reached out to the other woman for details, but unsurprisingly, she didn’t respond. We had a conversation where I expressed my feelings of distrust, but I was willing to try to move forward. A month later, I learned that the other woman had contacted him to inform him I had reached out. His reaction shocked me: “If you talk to her, please tell her it was just one time.” Finding that text led me to question why he felt the need to plead with her if it were indeed the truth. He maintained his stance, and that’s where things stood. Just two days after uncovering this information, I had another miscarriage. When I first discovered his infidelity, my instinct was to focus on our pregnancy and think about staying together for the child. I realize now that my past experience, staying in an unsatisfactory relationship for the sake of a child, influenced that impulse. Despite his claims of honesty, he hid the fact that the other woman reached out to him, and he even called her to instruct her on what to say to me. I've caught him in lies that date back to before our first date. In conclusion, trust is elusive for me now. I doubt I’ll ever believe it was just a one-time mistake, no matter how many reassurances he gives. I’m at a crossroads—either I accept being with someone capable of causing me such pain and who still can’t be truthful, or I risk upheaving my life. I’m struggling with this decision, as I don’t want to become a martyr in my marriage. Is it possible for me to move past this uncertainty?


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

(19M) I've developed feelings for a friend (18F) I recently met at a school seminar. Over the past two weeks, I've sensed a strong connection between us, and I believe she might feel the same way. Should I express my feelings to her?

She (18F) and I (19M) met at a seminar at school, and by the last day, we really clicked. Since then, our relationship has been wonderful. I invited her out three days later to play badminton and just have a good time, and we genuinely enjoyed ourselves—no awkward moments, just the pleasure of each other's company. That's also when I started to feel attracted to her, as I’d never met anyone who appreciated my company quite like she does. Now, I'm torn about whether or not to express my feelings. Honestly, I'm not ready to officially pursue a relationship yet, but I don't want her (or myself) to think I'm only interested in friendship. I really want something deeper, but considering we've only known each other for about two weeks, it feels a bit premature. I’m thinking of telling her on our next outing that I’m attracted to her but not ready to court her yet since we don’t know each other well enough and I need more time. Should I go ahead and tell her this, or should I hold off? I'm nervous about her reaction, and I might be overthinking her feelings toward me. What should I do?


Dating and Starting Relationships • 2mo ago

I'm looking for assistance with my relationship situation.

I'm a 24-year-old guy, chatting with a 24-year-old woman. We've been seeing each other for about a month. The first two weeks were fantastic—we texted constantly, spent a lot of time together, and had plenty of flirtation. We discussed our views on relationships and discovered how much we aligned on what partners should be to each other. She mentioned that she had never liked anyone as much as she likes me and enjoys our time together. We went on three dates without sharing a kiss. She's never had a boyfriend before but has been intimate with one person. She wanted to take things slowly, which I was perfectly okay with since I have substantial relationship experience. After our third date, we decided to go get a Christmas tree as a sort of fourth outing. Once we brought it back to my place and settled on the couch, I leaned in to kiss her. Though a bit nervous since it had been over a year since her last kiss, she kissed me back. We hugged to ease the tension, and then a minute later, we shared another kiss—this one was incredible and felt like we were making out. She expressed how happy she was that I kissed her, saying she was planning to do it if I hadn't. As it was time for her to leave—I had to get to work—we shared another kiss in the elevator and said goodbye. Everything felt fantastic, and we texted all night about the amazing kisses and butterflies we both felt. We made plans for the next day to watch Christmas movies, decorate the tree, and attend a lantern festival about an hour and a half away. The next morning, she messaged me saying we should skip the festival because it would be too cold and too far away. I was a bit disappointed but still excited to see her and watch movies. When she arrived, something felt off. I opted for a hug instead of a kiss. After we set up the tree, I suggested visiting a Christmas light display afterward since it would be closer. She said maybe but that we needed to talk first. Then she told me, "I think we need to be friends." My heart sank. We talked through her reasons: she felt things were moving too fast, wasn't ready for a boyfriend, and wanted to just be friends—no kissing or flirting, but we could still hold hands and cuddle. We spent a few hours hanging out, cuddled up on the couch watching movies, while I fought back tears. It felt so right between us, and I couldn't understand why she wanted to step back. Now, about two weeks have passed. She's brought up the "friends" thing several times, yet we still cuddle and hold hands when we're together. She has expressed being scared and mentioned she's a "friends to lovers" type of person. I'm left feeling confused and somewhat hurt, questioning if I’m just a way for her to enjoy free dates or if she genuinely intends to be friends until she feels ready for a relationship. I want to continue pursuing her, but I'm unsure whether to strictly act as a friend or to maintain some level of romantic or flirty behavior. I could really use some advice.