Two years ago, when I was 16, my dad tried to set me up with one of his business partners. I told him off, and he never tried that again. Soon after that, I met this guy through my friends, and we started dating. He’s only one year older than me, so it’s age-appropriate. It’s a very laid-back and fun relationship, but we have to keep it low-key since we live in the Gulf region, and he’s a native. Due to sociocultural, religious, and even legal factors, he’s not supposed to date. However, like many of these wealthy native Gulf families, they do everything they’re not supposed to do on the down low. I don’t know if it will necessarily last long-term, but for now, we’re having a good time.
In retrospect (35-40 years ago now) she was the keeper. She was sweet, quirky and supportive. Liked rock/metal, concerts, games, generally nerdy stuff like me. But…like a teenage dude as soon as someone exotic and hot showed interest I broke up with her. That exotic one “dear john lettered” me in basic training before Desert Storm and slept will all my friends. I think there’s a lesson in there somewhere.