60 DAYS TO LEARN YOUR LOVER
It’s a familiar rite of Valentine’s Day to pity the single. You can envision them out in the world, wincing at every couple they come across, sorrowfully making their way home where they’ll nosh on clearance-priced cinnamon hearts and watch every rom-com available on Netflix before drifting off alone in their beds.
But believe it or not there is a relationship dynamic far worse than suffering through a solo night of too much sugar and Katherine Heigl. At least being alone on February 14th has no expectations. Not so when it’s the early days of a relationship; when you have yet to establish what exactly it is you’re doing.
In said nightmare scenario, you’ve been dating for only a few weeks and the unfortunate timing of your coupling stumbles right into Valentine’s Day, prematurely forcing you to evaluate.
Do you see yourself with Tom from Tinder for the next week, month or year? It’s hard to say, but now, if you suggest you hang out on the 14th, what if he takes it as a hint that this relationship means more to you than it does?
This is why it is absolutely, completely, totally, 100 per cent necessary to have been together for at least two months before you even consider a genuine Valentine’s Day date. Like most rules, though, there is an exception. Sometimes, the type of dating is more important than how long you’ve been doing it.
For example, have you been seeing this person most days of the week, spending considerable time in bed and out? Have you pulled a Romeo and Juliet and already fallen in love? Then, by all means, take Valentine’s by storm — frankly, the day was designed exactly for your kind. On the other hand, is your not- sosignificant other more of a friend with benefits? Then this holiday is not for you.
This isn’t the only rule to be followed on Valentine’s Day for the unestablished pair – just the most important. Do not expect anything, do not buy anything, and certainly do not go near anything that looks, smells or even vaguely resembles a rose.
It may be a tough pill to swallow for the lovelorn, but in comparison to the newly dating, the single have it lucky on Valentine’s Day. For no young relationship is ever nurtured by the pressuring, watchful eye of a naked baby with a bow and arrow.