Friendship and dating are both beautiful experiences by themselves but sometimes, the line between them may begin to blur. Friends tend to spend a lot of time together everyday, care for each other immensely and share even their darkest secrets. All these factors certainly build a strong foundation for something more. Dating a friend may be commonly viewed as a step that is sure to ruin a special bond, but it can also prove to be the best relationship.

Address the expectations – The expectations from a friend and a romantic partner are poles apart. It would serve well to have a straight-up conversation about what you seek through this relationship, whether it is emotional or in a more general aspect. It is extremely natural for expectations to change when the type of relationship changes but be mindful of keeping it real. Remember, every game calls for a change in the rules and it always takes time to adapt.

Mutual friends cannot have a huge say  – A new relationship can be exciting and who does not love to turn to good friends and let them know the details. However, it is better to keep your mutual friends out of it and confide in friends who do not personally know your partner. Mutual friends can be biased and despite well-meaning intentions, can possibly derail the relationship. Dating is between two people and should not really be a topic of conversation when out and about.

Take it easy – Dating does not mean you have to rush through stages and have it perfect immediately. Initially, there may be a lot of awkwardness and things can seem extremely uncomfortable. It is important to establish a strong emotional connection, and this can take a while. The key is to treat this path with caution while gently easing the way through.

Dating a friend can eliminate the stage where you initially get to know your partner, but that does not mean that it is going to be rainbows all the way. A person will be different as a friend and a partner. Keep in mind that while you may lose on the honeymoon phase this could be one of the best relationships in store for you. No person is perfect, and every relationship needs effort. There is no shortcut to making this work.