I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I've been single for a while now, and getting back into dating has been terrifying, fun, horrific, you name it, I've felt it.

But what happens when you like someone and *gasp* they like you back? How do you... start dating and get out of the weird talking, situationship phase? Because suddenly you have what you wanted and now someone is wanting to see you, wanting to make plans, and it's overwhelming.

Dating apps suck in general, but are reaaaaaal bad in south Florida. I need a good laugh so I don’t cry about the possibility of being alone forever sooo

What are some real gems you’ve found on dating apps that like are almost too out there to believe are real

I’ll go first-

Hinge suggested that my most compatible suitor was a man who posted 5/6 pictures from his jail cell and the 6th photo was a courtroom shot I’m assuming his attorney took. He cleaned up nice, I’ll give him that, but not looking to be on love after lockup (yet)

Another one was a man looking for an adult nursing relationship and wanted a diaper change

A few weeks back (maybe months tbh, what is time) I wrote about a friendship break up and how from my perspective, I'm not sure what happened. It's been about three years since I've seen her. So much has happened, a pandemic, engagements, a wedding (hers, obviously).

So I pulled a Carrie Bradshaw and wrote about her. And toyed with the idea of sending it to her but I was terrified. Because it could either go great, or she will call the police because I am a psycho.

Thankfully it went well! She asked to meet for dinner. And I thought "eh, we won't really go" but we did.

We met for dinner and it was like nothing happened while also acknowledging how much time has passed. We caught up and had so much to talk about. I walked away from it feeling like something had changed, and for the best. It reminded me why we were friends, why I loved her so much, and how much fun we had together.

If you contemplating reaching out to that friend, do it.

I'm not a chef, but I can follow a recipe. Nothing too complicated... or too ~weird~ that may not be for everyone. I just need a simple go-to date night meal. Any recommendations?

Do you think pet names need to be discussed by a couple before throwing one out there? Does that take all the magic and whimsy out of it?

I've almost called my s/o a nickname of sort (not "babe" or something generic, but something more specific to him and his name) a few times — we've been together about 6 months — but have held back because I worried it would come off weird. (In turn, he's called me by a nickname he knows I don't really go by, and I don't mind that much... so he probably wouldn't either.)

Nicknames/pet names definitely create a sense of intimacy I think that you don't feel like an absolute CREEP doing out in public (unless you're Lindsay Hubbard from Summer House who was calling that random guy Ahmed "Babies" within like one week), but it can be awkward to introduce into a relationship.

What do you guys think? Have the convo about it or just say it and overanalyze the reaction for weeks on end?

I’m wondering in the days of us not being not so emotionally mature and levelheaded, after you got played by a potential mate — what’s the pettiest thing you did after the breakup?

Do you care if your partner follows Instagram models, or exes? Would you judge if he/she followed someone you hate (maybe like, Kylie Jenner or something).

What's your vibe when it comes to who your partner follows on Insta?

I was watching Summer House this morning. When talking about the prenup last night he said something I really resonate with when Kyle was talking. He referred to his own marriage something along the lines of she cooks for me and makes sure I have clothes on my back the LEAST I can do is pay the bills.

Exactly

Exactly

Exactly mr Amanda’s dad.

Men these days want you to cook, clean, do their laundry, be their therapist, their nurse, their p*** star, and STILL go half on bills? AND THIS IS BEFORE YOU EVEN HAVE KIDS where majority of the work goes to the woman. Screw that. Paying the bills IS the least they can do. If I wanted a roommate — I would stay with the one I have now! Then they have the nerve to try to pull the golddigger card when it’s like HUNNY YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME GOLD TO DIG!

Then they wonder why women aren’t the way they used to be. 1. Because men aren’t either. And 2. Our grandmas and great grandmas either couldn't work or even get a bank account without a man’s permission.

Like, what are you trying to prove? Why do you have to trigger all single people? Why can’t you just tell your SO you love them to their face? Since when does a public post prove intimacy?

It’s honestly rude.

On the flip side, V-day photos with your pets is 100 percent acceptable and delightful.

Okay, this seems like an obvious choice at face value, but let me set this up a bit.

Back in 2019, I got my SO two tickets to a concert as a Christmas gift. See, this was a generous gift, given a) I hate concerts, and b) I am not at all a fan of this particular artist, but he is.

Because of COVID, the concert got pushed back to 2021... and then pushed back to 2022. So it has now become a long-awaited event with a lot of excitement between it.

That's all well and good, until an old college friend sent an invitation for her wedding, the same night as the concert. (Literally, the only night I have a prior commitment in 2022.) I am not sure what to do, and need advice!

Some more context:

-I was very close with this person back in college, but probably have only hung out with them 1-2 times since (mostly because we live in different cities)

-This is not the type of person to invite someone to a wedding just to get a gift — I do think it's a friendly gesture

-My SO has met this friend probably once, but has no strong connection to them

-Both events are in different states (and a different state than I'm currently in), so I cannot accomplish both in one night

-The concert tickets were reasonably pricey, but nothing that would keep me from paying my bills

What do I do??