How to Ask a Friend Out for a Date (Continued)

Luckily, my friend John was prepared for my reaction.

"What exactly do you mean?"

He had reasonable, thoughtful answers to my questions and offered me time to consider, which I gladly accepted. Even though

"If all goes well, you may someday be picking out cheesy wedding invitations."

I'd been dreaming about being his girlfriend for months, having it as an actual possibility was something I needed to think about. I needed to consider the reality of what had been before only in theory.

What to Do if Your Offer is Rejected

Your offer may be refused. Remember that the date is being rejected and you. Resist the temptation to take it personally. Your friendship will be different afterwards, but so what? Your friendship is being changed and made different every day. It is called growth. Continue to value the qualities in your friend that attracted you to him/her in the first place. However, remember that you do not have any claim on that person other than a great friendship.

What to if Your Offer is Accepted

Plan a great date and, if all goes well, ask for another one! Again, expect that your friendship will change as the element of romance is added. Continue to communicate with one another and strengthen your friendship. That way, if you find in time that the romantic aspect isn't working out after all, a close friendship will remain. And if everything does work out, you may someday find yourself buying those cheesy wedding invitations.