New relationship with children already involved?

[Askingforamatey]

I am fully prepared to be absolutely annihilated on here for this but here we go...

I've been a solo parent for most of my child's life (he's 9) and I've been very happy with that.

I have a very good male friend who's been in our lives completely platonically for about 5 years, he and my son have a great relationship.

Recently and quite unexpectedly, my friend and I have become an item, and although it hasn't been long its going really great.

I've always said that personally, if I ever got into a romantic relationship, I'd want to wait for at least 6-12 months before introducing that person to my son. However, obviously this is a very different situation seeing as my son already knows and adores him.

I really really don't want to move too quickly, and I'm so conscious of how my son feels and everything like that, and even though its going well I feel like if it doesn't work out, my son will be devastated if he can't see him anymore. I'm a textbook overthinker!

I am stumped. I don't know what to do or how to proceed here while keeping my sons best interest first. This is such new territory for me!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏

and even though its going well I feel like if it doesn't work out, my son will be devastated if he can't see him anymore.

If he moved away for work or any other reason he couldn't see him and he'd get over it.

Maybe carry on as you are but don't let your child know you two are having a relationship now, until you're both sure about it.

Given that he's been in your life as a friend for so long, it's a very different situation to someone you've just met.

All you can do really is go slowly and ease in the transition from friends to a couple.

Don't go full steam ahead because of your history and even if it doesn't work you might salvage a friendship and the relationship your child has with them.

It's a risk but hopefully that friendship and knowing each other so well is a good basis for a healthy relationship.