Any happy stories of friends becoming more

[RulesofLiveTV]

But not lasting forever?

I'm part of a lovely little friendship group. I've known most of them for years, we participate in sporting events together but also do quite a bit socially and have been on a few long weekend breaks etc. I wouldn't say I'm especially close to anyone but we're a happy little band and the company is fun and easy. Mixed sexes, all in our 50s.

There's a man! Currently we are the only two singletons in the group - we've never been single at the same time before and we seem to be spending more time together almost as a couple, mostly because everyone else comes as a pair. Partners have come and gone before but there's never been a couple who were both core members iyswim.

Anyway, he's nice, we have fun, it feels like something is about to happen. Neither of us is looking to exactly settle down, been there, done that, but it's not awful to think about becoming closer to him.

I am worried about what it does to the friendship group/my place within it, if we give it a go and things don't work out.

I need to give myself a shake and make things clear/keep some distance don't I? But I am quite enjoying the flirtation....

You are lucky to have met someone you’ve connected with. Don’t hold back.

Hmm, maybe I'm looking too much at what I have to lose rather than what might be gained?

“he's nice”

“it's not awful to think about becoming closer to him.”

hmm. Is this the kind of feelings you want to have about a potential partner?

Well no, exactly. But then I'm not really looking for a partner and he is fun to spend time with and behaves decently, which on MN seems to be quite a high bar for some partners

I don't know if it makes a difference but maybe I should have mentioned he's very good looking and in incredibly good shape 😆

It will be ok (friendship group wise) if it doesn’t work out.

It will be wonderful (life wise) if it does work out.

Go for it OP

🍀

I think if you both decide to go down this route it would be a carefully considered decision based on already liking the other personality wise. You’d both be very cautious to not hurt each other or cause upset in friendship group. So why not… try meeting him one on one without mentioning it within the friendship group for a while. I’d only announce it once I was sure about it personally. Good luck!! :)

DH and I were friends for two years before dating but it was very much a different age and stage as we were whippersnappers. Together almost 30 years now. There are the practicalities of living together if it becomes serious. To be brutal if it gets serious it would all be about asset merging for me. Seen couple of friends get burned and lose a lot of money, both women.

The friendship group would have a small risk if you and had a toxic break up, no one plans that though or if it didn’t work out and one of you was truly heartbroken. No crystal ball though. With the lack of men that are even ok I would go for it even with those worries.

The best way to meet someone is through mutual friends so I can’t see the problem here?

I've got no intention of living with anyone again and certainly not merging assets. I think together, living separately is a far preferable state once DC are raised anyway.