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.

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acpguy · C

My husband and I worked together for 13 years and were friends. We have now been married for 29 years so I would say yes. We have have had a wonderful marriage.

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@acpguy What a great story!!! May I ask, how did it turn romantic?

acpguy · C

@ShadowSister I think there was a lot of sexual tension between us the last two - three years before marriage. We often traveled together a lot and worked together closely on projects. He was always nice, joked a lot and courteous but never pushy. We were both in bad marriages during the last 5 years we worked together but never thought about doing anything with each other until one night he wanted to give me a hug after a rough day and I wanted it but we didn't do it. About a month later we were out of town and we were out drinking and then that was the first time we just let go and spent the night together. He was already working on his divorce at the time and I felt he was the person I should have met an d married long before. The rest is history, our divorces were final within a year after that one night then were married a year later.