Couple Dating

Whoever said that dating ends when you get married was wrong!

In the 5+ years D and I have been married, we've discovered this interesting phenomenon we call couple dating.

 

To date someone is to pair off and go out socially with that person.  While dating, you only have to like one person and only one person has to like you.

But, sometimes you hit a road block.  You don't like the way he does dishes.  You find her laugh annoying.  Or you get busy and grow apart.

So, you break up.

Couple dating is when one couple dates another couple.

You go out a few times, have each other over for dinner/drinks/games.

Couple dating, however, is way more complicated than regular dating.

Girl A has to get along with Girl B.

Girl B has to get along with Girl A.

Boy A has to get along with Boy B.

Boy B has to get along with Boy A.

And

Girl A has to get along with Boy B.

Boy A has to get along with Girl B.

Boy B has to get along with Girl A.

Girl B has to get along with Boy A.

  

All while still getting along with your original partner.

It can be exhausting.

And, of one of these links doesn't work, you don't hang out with that couple again.

When D and I start hanging out with a new couple, there's a great deal of trying to find common interests (TV shows, sports teams, games, kids, political views), testing out each others' senses of humor, and trying not to be too offensive (maybe that's just me).

D and I have several couples that we get along with really well.

We just recently started hanging out with a few different couples.

It's funny because I feel very similar anxiety and nervousness when we're going to hang out with these new couples that I felt when I first started dating someone new - but amplified because now I have my husband to worry about too!

I want to make sure that I'm wearing a cute outfit and my hair and make-ups are did, and that my husband looks good, too.

I want to make sure that we bring yummy treats or something to share (I'm not above bribery).

I worry not only about what I might say, but my husband, too (not that he would say anything bad, but I'm a worrier).

Then, when it's all over, I over analyze the same way I did when I was starting to date a new guy.

 And I wonder will they call?  Should I call?  What should we do next?

Silly, I know.

But interesting to reflect on, nonetheless!