So, you both swiped right on a dating app, talked to each other for a couple of weeks, and then decided to meet for the first time? You both are thrilled to spend more time together and cannot wait to meet each other again. And that’s just not for being physically intimate, of course! It can be an added bonus though.
Sometimes, all it takes is that one click to fall madly and deeply in love with someone. And when you find the one just like you had imagined, you can be nothing but grateful. All the wrong choices you made in the past, all the breakups you had before; it all starts making sense.
Every relationship nurtures and grows with time. It’s not a 1-day game! Couples, who value each other, instill their efforts and time in their relationship and strive to create and live happy moments together while keeping tensions and anxieties at bay.
Whether you found each other’s profiles on a dating app or met each other in person in an arranged setting, here are some of the relationship milestones that you should be proud of.
From ‘random dating’ to seeing the ‘potential partner’ in them
Sometimes, it all starts from a casual dating with no intention of getting seriously involved with the other person. The reason is not to get ‘excessively attached’ and end up getting hurt when the guy or girl seeks to play around.
But there are times when you go on a date, meet him or her for the first time, and after meeting a couple of times, you feel like ‘Damn! This is the man/girl I want to spend the rest of my life with’. Despite being dramatic, if you have ever felt this emotion, you know it’s the time to celebrate.
The intensity with which you share your thoughts hint at how similar your interests are and how compatible you are for each other.
“Well, it seems to me that the best relationships — the ones that last — are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is… suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with.”― Gillian Anderson
The first expression of love
There can be times when the other person has mutual feelings but resists from taking the first move. This can be tricky if you let your ego come in between. But when you know that this person is the ‘keeper’, you are not afraid of taking risks that come down the way. You are ready to fight the whole world just to be with that one person.
When you decide to give it a ‘relationship’ tag, you start expressing yourself more with little gestures. It can be a little peck on the cheek, a warm hug making you forget the time, or as simple as saying ‘I Love You’. And when they are your ‘firsts’, it’s worth cherishing or capturing those moments.
The first time you get intimate
Many of us don’t want to rush things and have sex just for the sake of having it. I feel you! We want to feel connected with the person and take our time to see if they are worth it. And when we realize it, we know it’s time to drop our guard and feel connected with them on a deeper level.
It’s an awesome feeling to be intimate with someone when you know he/she is the only one. It might take some courage to open up yourself and take this bold move, especially if you had some terrible relationships before. But with the right one, you will tend to be yourself without having any fear of being judged.
The first time you meet his/her friends
There comes a phase when your significant other has mutual feelings for you and wants to introduce you to his/her friends. And that’s a big thing!
Being a bit anxious about how they will perceive you, you meet them for the first time and gel around with them well. Even if you find it hard to be that ‘social’, your partner will still appreciate your efforts. And that will make you both apprehend the depth of your relationship.
The first time you meet his/her family
So, now you have found that you both are perfect for each other and cannot wait to spend your lives in each other’s arms. He/she decides to make it official and introduces you to his/her family.
Hearing this, you have butterflies in your stomach and know it somewhere deep inside that your partner is interested in taking this relationship forward and making you a part of his/her family. So, spread your charm and positive vibes with whosoever you meet and make them your admirers.
The first argument you have
Couples can be profoundly in love with each other but still would have extremely different perspectives for the same things. That’s inevitable!
Having arguments or fights to a certain limit can be healthy for a relationship. When you have your first fight, you will get to know how your partner portrays his/her thoughts and how much he/she respects yours.
Keeping your egos aside, if you can sort out your differences as soon as possible or within the same day, then it’s indeed the time to cherish the decision of being with him/her.
The time you walk down the aisle
I agree that all of the above milestones are crucial, but getting married to your partner weighs beyond anything else. Having taken this decision, you decide to be with each other through every thick and thin and be each other’s cheerleader and admirer every single day.
Whether you are keeping your marriage grand or minimalistic, you know your families and friends will be there to shower their love and blessings and wish you the best of the new beginnings.
The first time you decide to buy a home
Buying a home, as a couple, comes with a lot of responsibilities and hard work. After doing your math for taxes, costs involved, EMIs, and a lot more complicated calculations, you decide on that one property that you’d love to tag as your own home.
From deciding on classy furniture, researching quirky home decor tips to having a mix of financing alternatives, there is a lot that would require your research. It takes time, patience, and effort to make a house a ‘home’, and when you do, you know it’s the time to celebrate your happiness with your friends and family. Maybe with a housewarming party!
Your first baby
Whether you planned it before or not, having your first baby can be exhausting at times. When your whole world revolves around this little life, you might not be able to keep any track of time. You might forget about your important to-do lists. But, fret not! If both partners put equal efforts in his/her upbringing, this journey will become smoother and make your lives fuss-free.
You might want to have rest after a tiring workday, but your baby might want your attention! In such scenarios, you’ll have to show your patience and perseverance and spend time with your baby until he/she falls asleep. Or if your partner is ready to take the charge, then you might be lucky to have some rest too.
Sometimes, first-time parents get so involved with their babies that they forget about all the romance and spark between them. So, don’t let that spoil your relationship. While you put in your 100% efforts towards your baby’s growth, make it a norm to keep some time aside for those romantic dinner dates.
“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is.
The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled.
A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.”— Kaleel Jamison
Love is a beautiful feeling and comes along with tons of challenges, lessons, fun, and adventures. It’s like a roller-coaster that will leave you thrilled and enthusiastic in the end.
You will learn to make compromises, be flexible, and embrace change. But amidst all of this, what will remain constant is ‘love’ that you have for each other.
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Previously published on Medium.com.
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Photo credit: Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash