Think back to all of your relationships. They all started and developed. Maybe some moved faster than others. Maybe you got serious before meeting each other’s parents or slept together right off the bat. These are the parts of dating and relationship timelines.
There is no right or proper way to have a relationship. There are most common or accepted paths, but these phases of a relationship timeline can be in this order or any order and still work.
Each relationship goes through different stages at different times. And while some couples can stay in certain phases for longer than others, most will through these stages of a dating timeline at some point.
You may think it sounds silly that a relationship timeline exists, and well it sort of is. But, knowing the phases of this timeline can help you ensure you’re on track and moving forward together rather than drifting apart or standing still.
# The initial interestThis is when you first notice that the other person is someone you want to know more about. You basically get a crush on them initially. This could be that first dating app message or when you start asking their friends if they’re single.
All those butterflies and feel-good vibes start rolling in. This is when you aren;t sure what’s going to haen, if anything, but it sure is exciting. Nearly every dating timeline has this stage.
# The first date
At this point, you’ve already spoken to them and decided you want to try it out. You may have been flirting or realized you are at the same point in your lives after texting a bit.
You know them well enough to want a date with them, so the first date has arrived. This is when you really get to see how you connect intimately and how your chemistry is.
# The first kissThis can happen right after the first date, or it can also happen after the second or even the third date. This can come at different times for every couple, but this kiss is a powerful and even magical moment. With this kiss, you see how compatible you two are physically, and your feelings either grow stronger or dissipate.
# The first time
After you’ve been on some dates with them and you are happy with the way things are going, it’s time to turn up the heat in the bedroom. Now, this depends on a lot of things like your age, your comfort elevel, and even you preferences, so this step in the relationship timeline may happen much later or earlier.
There is nothing wrong with having sex on the first date or after marriage. No matter when you two decide to take this step, at some point most relationship timelines will incorporate intimacy.
# Sleeping overSleeping over may follow the first time you have sex, but not always. Maybe you’re ready to sleep together but not to *SLEEP* together. That can be much more intimate and vulnerable than sex.
Or, maybe you live far away and have work tomorrow. Either way, at some point you’ll probably have a sleep over, even if you’re not having sex. This really helps you bond. Feeling comfortable enough to fall alseep next to someone and wake up next to them without freshly brushed hair and teeth is a very connecting experience. It can take you from dating to more than that.
# In a relationshipOnce you’ve had a couple of sleepovers and have spent a decent amount of time together it may be time to make things official. Of course, not everyone needs a label, but this can be a good time to have that conversation.
Are you monogomous? Are you headed into the future together? Is this going to be long-term? What are you both looking for? If you’re on the same age this might be when you become Facebook offical and start telling people you have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
# Meeting the friends
Now that you two are officially together, it’s time to meet your friends. Depending on how you know this person, you may already know their friends. But, this is when you start inviting each other on double dates or to group outings.
You’ve been talking to your friends about this person, but now they get to meet. Now, maybe your first date was a double date and they’ve already met. Whenever this time comes is fine, but it should happen at some point on the relationship timeline, or there is a red flag lurking around the corner.
Meeting each other’s friends really lets you see a new side to your partner and pushes the dating timeline along. Without this step there is often something hidden.
# The honeymoon phase ends
Up until now, you’ve been in the honeymoon phase and may be in it for a little while longer. But after a few months, this stage dwindles. The intense lust and passion slow down, and you’re left in a comfortable norm.
There is nothing wrong with this and the honeymoon stage can come and go, but usually at this point your find comfort in each other rather than nerves.