I dated a coworker—and it worked out great

There are a lot of “rules” when it comes to dating. Guys should wait a few days to call after a date, women should always let the man pay, blah, blah, blah. I have never been one for following the rules, which is why I broke one of the biggest ones there is: I dated a coworker. And I’m so glad I did.

It started one summer when I accepted a job at a new company. The work was more strenuous, but the pay, health insurance, and stock benefits made up for it. One day at work, I noticed this guy walk by. Tall, scruffy dark brown hair, blue eyes hidden behind glasses, and the perfect five o’clock shadow. I’d never seen him before and remember watching as he made his way across the room. Who was he? What did he do? Over the next couple weeks I’d pass him in the hallways and one day he and another coworker helped out our department. After six weeks I finally learned his name.

A week later, a coworker had a party. As I stood in the kitchen, drink in hand, the host leaned my way and told me that my work crush liked me and wanted to ask me out. Shy and lacking any sort of self-confidence, I wondered why a guy like him would be interested in a girl like me. We hung out at the party and at the end of the night, he asked if I’d like to go out sometime. His face lit up when I said yes.

The next day at work he looked even better than usual. He had taken the time to fix his hair and it was the first time I’d ever seen him with contacts. I couldn’t help stare at those gorgeous blue eyes. We made plans to go out later that week on Friday night. I counted down the days, and spent the night before trying to find the perfect outfit.

Friday came, and I don’t think I had ever been do anxious in my entire life. I was so shy, I barely said two words, and he was so nervous, he wouldn’t stop talking. It was a perfect match. We hung out night after night, getting more comfortable with one another after each passing day. We talked about work, hobbies, our shared love of Douglas Adams, our childhoods. When I first saw him, I felt an instant attraction, and after getting to know him, I felt a deep connection. This was it. After our first date we became inseparable, and two years later we tied the knot.

I can’t imagine my life with anyone else. He makes me smile and laugh every day. When he touches me I still feel butterflies. He’s been with me through the happiest and the hardest times, and is always there when I need a shoulder to cry on. He gets me in a way no one else ever will, and I feel lucky to be his wife.

If you’ve been considering dating a coworker, I say go for it! Dating a coworker is nice because you have a chance to get to know them a little beforehand. You can see how they handle stress, disappointment, and working as a team. You also have a lot of peers who can vouch for their character.

I remember the day before my first date I asked my coworkers what they thought of him. No one had a bad thing to say. Even the most outspoken woman in the department gushed about him and how he always helped out. I felt even more attracted to him knowing how respected and well liked he was.

Plus, you already know that you have a major thing in common. You have someone there to talk to at the end of a long day, someone who knows what you do, who you work with, and who you work for. It’s nice having someone who can relate and share anecdotes.

And also? It makes the work day so much easier. Some people may object to seeing their partner both at work and outside of work. They might say it’s a little too much time together, but for me it was the ultimate stress reliever. Passing by in the hallways and seeing his smile was instant happiness for me. Sharing lunch across the street and stealing a kiss or two made the work problems fade away—at least for thirty short minutes. It’s the thrill of knowing that just around the corner at any given moment is someone who loves you

While dating a peer at work is not for everyone, I support it one hundred percent. If there is someone out there you feel a connection with you shouldn’t let anything stand in your way. Dating a co-worker just may be the best choice you ever made.
Holly Hoks is a biased mid-twenties writer who is currently married to a former coworker. She loves hiking, swimming, iced mocha lattes, and Hugh Grant rom-coms. You can find her online at hollyhoks.com.

[Image courtesy NBC’]