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<\/p>\nMy name is Addison, and I\u2019m a neurologist with a demanding job that leaves little room for anything else, especially romance. When my cheerful coworker Nathan set me up on a blind date with his friend Jake, I was intrigued but skeptical. I hadn\u2019t been on a date in ages, and despite my busy schedule, I decided to give it a try.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday night, I arrived at a cozy restaurant Nathan had recommended. The warm ambiance was a welcome change from my usual routine. I spotted Jake, who looked up and smiled as I approached. We shook hands, and I took a seat. As we ordered drinks and appetizers, our conversation flowed easily. Jake seemed genuinely interested in my work and hobbies.<\/p>\n
As the evening progressed, we talked about our future plans. Jake asked me about my goals for the next few years. I shared that I wanted to advance in my career, redecorate my apartment, possibly get a pet, and travel more. I also mentioned that while I was open to a relationship, I wasn\u2019t in a hurry to get married or have children. I believed in building a strong foundation, which for me meant a three-year timeline: six months to get to know someone, a year of dating, and a year and a half of living together before considering marriage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jake\u2019s demeanor shifted noticeably. He leaned back, crossing his arms. \u201cThree years? That\u2019s a long time. What if someone wants a quicker timeline?\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt a knot in my stomach. \u201cI think it\u2019s important to build a strong relationship,\u201d I said, trying to stay calm.<\/p>\n
Without another word, Jake called the waitress for the check and paid swiftly. He stood up and left the restaurant, leaving me stunned and confused. I tried messaging him later, asking why he left so abruptly, but he responded with a curt message: \u201cDon\u2019t contact me again. You\u2019re indecisive and not serious about what you want,\u201d before blocking me.<\/p>\n
The next day, I spoke with Nathan, who seemed uncomfortable. He admitted that Jake was looking for something more immediate and didn\u2019t appreciate my three-year rule. \u201cSorry, I should have known,\u201d Nathan said.<\/p>\n
I called my best friend Sophie, who reassured me. \u201cBeing honest about your expectations is important. If he couldn\u2019t handle that, it\u2019s his loss. Everyone has their own timeline.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her words were comforting, but I still wondered if I was too rigid with my expectations. Was my three-year rule really that unusual? All I know is that I need to stay true to myself, even if it means losing a potential partner.<\/p>\n
What would you have done?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My name is Addison, and I\u2019m a neurologist with a demanding job that leaves little room for anything else, especially romance. When my cheerful coworker Nathan set… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n