Dating Your Buddies?

Dear Bro Jo,

I bet you get asked this same question a lot.

I picked up your book on Casual Dating a couple days ago and have some questions. See I have a bunch of friends, and we all hung out a lot even before we were all 16, but my dilemma is that I’m not attracted to any of the guys in my group. I really can’t see myself dating any of them.

Yes, they're great guys but I see them more as brothers. I've been 16 for a couple of months, and gone on a few dates, and I’m sort of crushing on this guy in one of my classes. We text a lot and flirt in person.

I want to be obedient, with the Church's guidelines but . . . I only want to date him!

I’ve been good about not going on constant dates with him, and all the dates I have gone with him have been double, but I really don’t know who else I’d like to date.

Thanks,

Crushin



Dear Crushin,

There's nothing wrong with being attracted to one particular person, but there's more to Casual Group Dating than attraction. It's about going out with different people and having a good time, not about getting a boyfriend.

And the reason we mix it up (not going out with the same person twice in a row) is so that the temptations to get into a committed relationship and do stuff we ought not do with that one special person we're attracted to are less.

A guy doesn't have to be someone you'd like to kiss to be a great date. Those guys in your group? Go out with all of them!

After all, they deserve to go out with someone nice as much as you do.

- Bro Jo

PS: hope you enjoy the book!