I started hanging out with this guy (an acquaintance at the time) a couple of months ago shortly after his relationship of 3 years ended. Initially, I was there for him as a friend. I was in a 7 year relationship that ended last November, so I totally got where he was at and shared my ~wisdom~ with him. It didn't take very long for our friendship to grow into something more. He treats me like his girlfriend - taking me out on dates, introducing me to all of his friends, spoiling me on my birthday, and discussing a future with me. We're even invited on double dates with other couples. We agreed to be exclusive early on. These past couple of months have been great and I've been feeling like this is a real thing, but it came up in conversation recently and he made it clear that he is not my boyfriend and that he's not interested in labeling our relationship at this point. We've talked about it in depth and basically, he's still healing from his breakup and not particularly interested in a relationship because of the way his last one ended. I can't really argue with that. I've been there and I get it. But now I don't know if I want to continue this if it's not going to be a relationship. I really care about him and he's very good to me, but I wonder if waiting for him would be selling myself short. It frustrates me because apparently he's not my boyfriend, but when we go out and other guys hit on me, he is very protective and makes it clear that I'm his. Ugh. What do you guys recommend?
user
Guy wants to treat me like I'm his girlfriend but doesn't really want me to be his girlfriend right now because his heart is still broken. Worth waiting for?
assistant
I started hanging out with this guy (an acquaintance at the time) a couple of months ago shortly after his relationship of 3 years ended. Initially, I was there for him as a friend. I was in a 7 year relationship that ended last November, so I totally got where he was at and shared my ~wisdom~ with him. It didn't take very long for our friendship to grow into something more. He treats me like his girlfriend - taking me out on dates, introducing me to all of his friends, spoiling me on my birthday, and discussing a future with me. We're even invited on double dates with other couples. We agreed to be exclusive early on. These past couple of months have been great and I've been feeling like this is a real thing, but it came up in conversation recently and he made it clear that he is not my boyfriend and that he's not interested in labeling our relationship at this point. We've talked about it in depth and basically, he's still healing from his breakup and not particularly interested in a relationship because of the way his last one ended. I can't really argue with that. I've been there and I get it. But now I don't know if I want to continue this if it's not going to be a relationship. I really care about him and he's very good to me, but I wonder if waiting for him would be selling myself short. It frustrates me because apparently he's not my boyfriend, but when we go out and other guys hit on me, he is very protective and makes it clear that I'm his. Ugh. What do you guys recommend?
user
Guy I'm developing a friendship with is not a long term boyfriend, but doesn't want to be. Should I wait for him to be ready for a relationship?
assistant