Things we all do in a new relationship

The first few weeks and months of a brand, spankin’ new relationship are pretty magical. Not that our relationships necessarily lose that magic as time goes on, but we have to admit — the first stages of becoming romantically involved with a human fill you with an incomparable combination of  joy, stress, and hope. It’s like there’s a constant burst of confetti in your chest cavity, and it’s so, so tremendous. In all the ways.

Naturally during this window, we do things we probably wouldn’t do if we were single or in long-term affairs. It’s totally cool. I’ve been there. You’ve probably been there. We’ve all been there. Here are some of those tell-tale signs that you just embarked on a new odyssey ‘o love:

You check your phone every 10 minutes.

Have they called? Have they texted? What if they texted and the message didn’t go though, because you know, phones can totally do that sometimes. And OMG they texted, but you know what? You’re going to wait 10 minutes before you reply because you have to be chill and pretend you have a lot of other stuff going on even though what you have going on is this text message you so badly want to reply to. GAH.

Make out. Like all the time. All day.

Oh hello there, hormones. In a new relationship, all you want to do is kiss this person’s mouth, and it doesn’t matter where you are or who thinks you’re being gross. Yes yes, in the past you may or may not have said something about how you would never show PDA, but eh — whatever. You need to get this love bug outta your system somehow.

You maybe pretend to love what they love even if you don’t really love those things (just for a while).

You never were the outdoorsy type but now you’re totally willing to go snowboarding and scuba-diving. Not a fan of spicy food? Well, now you’re a person who will try EVERYTHING! Bring on the sports and strange foods and music! If anything, you’re trying and experiencing new things.

Get a little tiny bit paranoid if they post pics or messages with other people who they could potentially be attracted to.

As you scroll through their Instagram account, you suddenly notice a very attractive human they’re clearly getting drinks with. Who are they? What do they want with YOUR person? What gives them the right to think they can just hang out with your SO like it’s no big deal? Eventually though, you realize it’s ok for your new boyfriend or girlfriend to see other people in platonic ways — this doesn’t mean they feel any less feelings for you.

Stress about introducing them to your family.

All families are a little quirky in their own wonderful, wonderful ways. But until your SO meets them, you might worry your mom will say something totally embarrassing, or that your dad will be overbearingly overprotective in a hokey dad-way. But hey — if your guy or girl can’t get with your family, then they’re not worth keeping around anyway.

Stress about meeting their family.

Will your new person’s family like you? Will you and your SO’s mom and dad become the best of friends and will they show you baby photos and invite you to family brunches and BBQs and treat you like their very own daughter/son? ok maybe you’re thinking a few steps ahead here.

Wonder if “boyfriend/girlfriend” is ok to say now. Wonder if you should be cool about it and go with “boo,” or “that dude/gal I’m seeing.”

Ugh, labels. At some point you’re going to have to introduce your SO to someone, and the very, very first time you do it, you will feel your voice waver a little bit. It will feel strange. And uncertain. And you will be nervous. But in the end? Everything will be ok. Remember — it’s just a label.

Question when it’s acceptable to make your main pic on Facebook a pic of you two.

You will wonder if this is too clingy, and whether it makes you seem overly eager, or as though you’re lacking an identity of your own (you’re not!). But you will get through this struggle, I promise.

Try maybe desperately hard to get their friends to love you.

Even if it’s kind of silly, and it doesn’t matter what his/her friends think of you — for the time being all of this just seems incredibly important. You want his/her friends to think you’re the coolest, funniest, most laid-back, smartest person your SO could possibly date in the world.

Stop yourself from talking about your new SO with your friends.

But it’s so hard! You’re so in love! Or in like-like! And everything is so new and exciting and finding out all of these cool things about this person and you just need to let it all out! Let it out, girl. But do remember to rein it back in — your friends will probably want to talk about other things besides your bursting sunshine rays of love.

[Image ]