Can a Friendship Turn Romantic?

I had a conversation with a friend over the weekend who said she hates using dating apps. She prefers to get to know someone as a friend first, and then see if it turns into something romantic.

I commented how that feels exactly opposite of my experience. For me, when someone is a friend, you don't want to muck it up by adding a romantic dimension to the relationship. It's why people have labeled it the "friend zone." My friend said she finds it much easier to ask out someone she already has built trust with. And I said that I would find it much more awkward to do so.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced a friendship turned romantic? If so, how did it happen? Because sorry, I just can't get my mind around it.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Nick1 · 61-69, M

It all depends how friendship evolves and how both feels about it. I do believe every relationship should have friendship as a base.
With one, I started as dating, but as it progressed, she felt we have much strong friendship and she wanted to keep that way. As per her, it’s easy to find date or lover, but hard to find a good friend. And I respected her decision. We enjoyed our friendship with little bit of flirting.
It’s all about trust and caring.

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@Nick1 See, this makes sense to me. I feel like you can start with flirting and add friendship to it. But I don't know how to start with friendship and add flirting.