My rules to protect myself in a relationship
#1. Don't start falling for him until he says that he really really likes me and loves me.
Fell for this one and then realized rule #2.
#2. Don't start falling for him until he shows me that he really really likes me and loves me.
Examples: He picks up my calls, he takes me out to lunches/dinners/coffee - (just wants to hang out in general hopefully at least 1.5 times a week!), we can meet whenever - (not only during the certain days/hours he tells me to), maybe gives me a flower or something to show he cares like calling or texting or emailing or IMing me (he can pick a flower from my neighbor's yard for all I care)
#3 Be myself. Say whatever I want, do whatever I want.
I'm hecka boring, so saying and doing whatever I want isn't extreme. Example: I was told not to go to a party once. Next time around I'm going!!
#4 If he shows too many warning signs, start pulling myself back emotionally but still give him a chance... I guess...
Example: He says "I'm not good for you. I'll make you do things you don't want to do."
#5 Get invited to hang out with his friends or family within the first 9 months of dating. If not, he'd better be fulfilling rules 1 and 2.
#6 Definitely, definitely, if he starts getting abusive, run for the hills!
We better be like this before we get in a relationship!
A: We communicate well, he communicates with me.
Example: I tell him I'm feeling like something's wrong and he works with me to fix it. He asks me questions and answers my questions. Does not just say "yes, no, it's fine, uh huh, yeah, okay."
B: We respect each other.
He backs off the first time I say "no."
C: We're honest with each other.
He tells me what happened at a party or during his day not just "it was the same, it was boring, nothing happened, I forgot."
D: We trust each other and won't run away if something goes wrong.
We can talk about anything and everything without being afraid of consequences. Religion, Sex, Money, Politics, etc.
:p