Quote:
Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
... What's the point of dating if not to find your 'lifelong mate'? I mean, obviously if you're dating with someone who bores you to death, you should end the relationship - but isn't the point of dating to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?
- Katie
|
Katie, sometimes we date to also find what we would like to see in a potential mate, and to find out what truly irritates us and that we couldnt deal with in a potential mate. It really depends on your goal in general though. That doesnt mean that every guy we date we think we would want to spend the rest of our lives with. Often times we just arent ready to make any such decision at early stages in our lives.
Sometimes we date to have fun. Casual dating with people when you are careful is good practice for the future when you are seriously dating. Please everybody note Im talking about "dates" and not "going out". Those two terms have become way too mutually exclusive....and they really aren't. You go on a date with somebody, possibly multiple times, but that doesnt mean there is an obligation to be their boyfriend/girlfriend. Also sometimes you can find somebody that while you wouldn't work going out, you would work with the idea of being friends. I agree with a lot that has been suggested by people in this thread. But I think for everybody, these would be good things to keep in mind.
On a final note, every time we date, we discover a little more about ourselves. The person who might seem like the perfect mate in the beginning, will likely not be the 'perfect mate' by the time you are in your 30's or 40's. Then again if you change with each other....they might be. My advice would be find somebody who is your friend, and you enjoy talking to; who always seem to make you feel good about yourself. After the original flush of romance that comes for newleweds is vanished somewhat, you will still be with somebody who makes you laugh, and who makes you feel special. And in that, there is some of its own romance and romantic feeling.