Those Summer Nights

Sing it with me ....

Summer loving had me a blast, oh yeah
Summer loving happened so fast,
I met a girl crazy for me,
Met a boy cute as can be

Sweet summertime could arguably be the most romantic of all seasons. Maybe it’s the feeling of our toes in the sand combined with a cold drink in hand or it’s the itsy bitsy barely there bikinis mixed with the crisp summer nights that makes it all feel so picture perfect. Whatever it may be, summer lovin’ is an epidemic that has hit the hearts of many. But as tan lines begin to fade and fall is around the corner the question that you have been avoiding for three months starts to demand an answer.

Was this just a summer fling or will all of those laughs under the sun turn into full blown #RelationshipGoals? 

As you sit there sipping a frozen skinny girl margarita contemplating whether you should take yourself off the market feel free to over analyze the following questions:

1.  We need to talk
Since effective communication is the most important of all life skills and can make or break a relationship let’s start with the basics. How do you and your summer fling communicate? Is making plans like nails on a chalk board or is it smooth sailing? Has your beach buddy truly taken the time to get to know you or is he is whispering sweet nothings with the intention of purely untying your bathing suit top?

Living in a society that spends 90% of their time buried in cell phones,  we sometimes forget how important face to face communication is. If your summer fling is the type of person who you feel comfortable with siting down and talking about everything under the sun then you two are on the right track. Beyond face to face communication skills also make it a point to tap into their non-verbal signs, gestures, facial expressions and body language.

And you thought choosing which emoji to text back was hard ;)

2. Just the two of us
Pull out your microscope and evaluate how you two have been spending time together. Is it always in a group setting? Do you both make it a priority to set aside alone time? How does he treat you when others around? What is your interaction behind closed doors like?

I know you may be sitting there thinking dayummmm Chels, chill with the questions but these are things you should look at before changing your relationship status. For me personally, having a counterpart that recognizes the importance of balancing time with friends as well as one on one time is absolutely key. Are you and your summer fling on the same page?

3.  Through good times and bad
When the fun and games of summertime has come and gone, what will the vibe of your relationship be? Will your summer fling be there for you after a stressful day of work? Will you be able to rely on them to stand by you when making decisions beyond what SPF to apply? Unfortunately, life isn’t all pool parties so dive into your realistic side and ask yourself, is this the type of person who will dry your tears and smile when you smile. You deserve someone who will be there through thick and thin so before you serve your heart on a platter have confidence that this person will be standing by you come next summer.

A sucker for love,
Chels

cover photo via tumblr