Can friendship turn into a relationship

Friendships are one of the greatest gifts we are given. Imagine someone wanting to spend time with us because we have the same interests or just getting along so well. What happens when the feelings start to get deeper, and the attraction becomes more than significant? Can a friendship turn into a relationship?

The answer to this question is complicated and not an easy one to answer. As with all relationships, there are 2 individuals to consider, and just because one person is feeling a certain way does not mean that same feeling is reciprocal. Communication is very important; however it is important to remember once words are said, they cannot be taken back. Once that boundary has been crossed and romantic feelings have been expressed, it is very difficult to go back to “just being friends.” It is also possible for friendships to blossom into great romantic relationships.

 When you are in a friendship relationship, people tend to be more “themselves” as they are more comfortable, and the constraints of a romantic relationship are non-existent. There is no pressure to behave a certain way or look a certain way because that is not the foundation of the relationship.  For this reason, the other party is seeing the “real” you and not just the part you are choosing to let them see. They (or you) tend to be interested in their personality and other positive aspects, as the original relationship was not based on sexuality or intimacy.

While great relationships are built on a solid foundation, and many romantic partners refer to their best friends, not all relationships started as friendships. Taking the “next step” to go from friendship to romantic partners can be scary and should be done with careful consideration. There is always a risk when putting yourself out of a possible romantic situation; however, in situations like this, the stakes are higher because you risk harming the friendship. It cannot be undone once this line is crossed, and feelings can not be taken back.