As a neurologist, my life is a never-ending cycle of work and more work. But when my cheerful coworker Nathan set me up on a blind date with Jake, I felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something new.
The evening began perfectly. We met at a quaint restaurant, and Jake seemed charming and easy to talk to. We laughed and shared stories, and I found myself feeling more and more at ease.
But as the night wore on, things took a turn for the worse. Jake asked me about my plans for the future, and I shared my three-year rule: six months to get to know someone, a year of serious dating, and a year and a half of living together before considering engagement or marriage.
Jake’s expression changed in an instant. He frowned, crossed his arms, and abruptly called the waitress for the check. Without a word, he paid and walked out of the restaurant, leaving me stunned and hurt.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had done something wrong. Was my three-year rule really that strange? I messaged Jake, hoping for some answers, but he blocked me instead.
The next day, I confronted Nathan, who told me that Jake had said I was wasting his time. He wanted something serious, and I wasn’t the right person for him.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I had been too upfront about my expectations. Should I have kept my three-year rule to myself? My best friend Sophie reassured me that being honest about what I want is important, even if it means losing a date like Jake.
But the question still lingers: was I wrong to share my three-year rule? Or was Jake just not the right person for me? All I know is that being true to myself is essential, even if it means taking a chance and risking rejection.
What would you have done in my shoes?
