by cody18

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2009

I am a firm believer in friends make the best boyfriends/girlfriends! Dating is tricky and in my experience, if I'm not friends with the person first before dating, dating is a lot harder!

There are many benefits to being friends first. A big benefit is you get to really know the person because you spend time with them and they're not trying to make a good impression. When you start dating someone you don't really know there's a lot of pressure. Pressure to look good, keep the conversation flowing, try to figure out something for you guys to do that you will both enjoy. Then there's the questions that keep popping up in your head during the date, are they having a good time, do they really like me, am i attractive to them? Both of you are on your best behavior and it's a little fake. It's not the real you, it's the you you want the other person to see. However, if you're friends first you already know the other person's likes and dislikes, you've already figured out things you like doing together, you're not too worried about impressing them because they have already seen more than one side of your character. They've seen you up and down. It takes a lot of the pressure off. You've already made an impression and obviously it's a good one since your relationship has been kicked up a notch if they want to date you.

Another benefit to being friends first is you already know, once you start dating, that you get along well, that you're compatible and genuinely want to be around each other. Transitioning from friends to dating can be a bit tricky and it's not always smooth but it's nice to know that the other person does find you fun to be around and you're not worried they are going to run as fast as they can away from you at the end of your date.

Most people say they want to date or marry their best friend. This makes sense considering the amount of time you spend with someone you're in a serious relationship with; you better really like that person. So it makes total sense that dating someone that is a good friend is a great place to start.

Physical attraction can be great at first and many people start dating someone based on this factor alone, but if there's not more to the relationship than that it's going to fade pretty fast. If there's no depth to a relationship it's not going to last, physical attraction can and will wane. Usually this happens once you start to really get to know a person and see their faults. If you don't really like them as a person their attractiveness is not going to hold that relationship together. No matter how cute they are, if you don't like them as a person you're not going to be able to stand them for too long.

Finding a partner that is your best friend is amazing and I've found the best place to start if you are truly looking for that is to date someone you've already built a friendship with. Too often in our society we want to rush into relationships and try to figure out if that person is the right one based on little information. Take your time and really get to know someone before you decide whether you want to date them. This will save you a lot of heartache, drama and frustration.

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