It's Complicated
Relationships are tricky...one day you meet someone, you exchange contact information, you two hang out a few times, a kiss is involved, and BANG, you're in a relationship!
Just Kidding, I don't know how these things work, I just know getting into a relationship is not a simple as what it used to be...or at least how I thought is used to be.
Before, a boy would just ask, "Will you go out with me?" or "Will you be my girl?" and that made it official. But, this was acceptable on the playground during recess.
We're grown now.
Now, getting into a relationship almost requires thorough conversations of what both of you want to achieve mixed in with emotions, mixed in with sex (for those who are not following certain personal or religious obligations), mixed in with disagreements, mixed in with compromises, and so many other things that make a relationship work (these things can happen over time in the process of dating or courting)....BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT A RELATIONSHIP IS....WORK. You must put in the effort for it to thrive. You have to complete certain tasks to make money, right? Well, you have to put in consideration to keep cohesive involvement with your partner...P.S. - I still believe a man needs to ask a woman to be his lady for it to be official.
Relationship require time, attention, communication, and understanding.
The tricky part is keeping the momentum of love and appreciation at a level where the two of you are mindfully involved and still want to continue your lives together....and that formula, my friends, is unique to each relationship. I never ask too many questions or judge a relationship that has lasted years since there are infinite reasons why people stay together; reasons that may be taboo or frowned upon or reason that may just work for only that couple. Either way, EVERY relationship is complicated, it just depends on if the complications will break a bond or make it stronger.