"Now Leaving : Friend-Zone."

Friend-zone: the wonderful feeling when you continuously show your best friend that you love and care about them and want a future with them, even when the other person understands all of this and she/he acts like they like you when they really just want to be friends. In other words, friend-zone sucks. No one wants to be friend-zoned,  but unfortunately, it happens every single day. For those who don't quite understand what friend-zone is yet, it's when you show and/or tell the person you really like that you really like them, yet they still choose to see you as a friend. However, what happens when you finally leave the friend-zone? Well, I can tell you this, my friends: it can be great but deadly.

Allow me to explain. I have been friends with a kid named Patrick for about a year or two now. He is funny, playful, optimistic, warmhearted, etc. He has been sending me signals for a while now that he really likes me and sees so much more than other people see. For a long time, I ignored this. I was crushing on a kid who I obviously had no chance with. I had a better chance of hooking up with Josh Farro or Ted DiBiase than this guy (lead guitarist for Paramore and WWE wrestler). Anyway, about a week ago, I finally realized that all I was hoping for in the guy I liked was already in Patrick. It was then when I realized that I had friend-zoned a great guy who loved me for who I was and saw my imperfections as beauties. I then risked all of the friendship we had by going out with him. So far, I'm so glad I did. We are hanging out more, the jokes are funnier, we can be ourselves around each other, and we never take anything too personal.

With all of the benefits of dating someone you've friend-zoned, there comes the deadly part. There's that fear that if the partnership hits a down-point, you may be putting every ounce of friendship you had in great danger and then losing it all. Also, there's the criticism of others that may occur in any relationship that puts a great amount of pressure on you and your partner. You have people making fun of you because maybe you're a girl and you're a lot taller than your boyfriend, which happens to be the case in my situation. Also, the criticism may be more offending such as differences in skin color; also an issue with Patrick and I.  Maybe you're Italian or Hispanic or African American, and your girlfriend/boyfriend is Irish or Asian or Caucasian. People tend to make unnecessary comments about these things and it can cause couples feel insecure about their relationship. 

Despite the disadvantages of dating your best friend, just think of the positives. Hopefully you're happy in the relationship, hopefully you're faithful, and hopefully, the other person in the commitment feels the same. If something wasn't meant to happen, it wouldn't have happened. If something is supposed to happen, it will. If something is/or was meant to be, it is/was meant to be. On the other hand, by dating that person, you have just made them the happiest person alive. However, If you don't have complete feelings for that person, I suggest you let him/her know so you can both work something out. If you  think you do, but you're just not sure, I would just take it slow. Leaving the friend-zone is great, but remember; follow your heart, but don't leave your head behind. I wish you the best of luck, and I just want to wish everyone a Happy (early) Thanksgiving, also! Have a great time with the loved ones, and don't forget to be thankful for everything you have in life. Including that special someone that you hold near and dear to your heart. I wish you all great happiness and hope, and great luck in any (if any) future relationships. =)

---Also, I hope to get back onto a solid track, such as posting every other Friday. I am still open to any comments/advice/suggestions that you all may have.