Submitted by FlimsyLocation1977 t3_z1dphm in tifu
So almost a year ago I (26M) matched with this girl (24F) on a dating app. We got to talking and I learned she is from France and is living in the US for a year staying with a family in another state across the country but they visit my area every now and then. Sadly our schedules didn’t match up this time, but we exchanged social media and loosely stayed in touch (responding to each others stories, etc). At first, I didn’t think much of it, but over time she began to intrigued me. On top of being gorgeous, I could tell she was thoughtful, motivated, artistic, and incredibly well spoken – all things I found very attractive.
Fast forward to a couple months ago, I get a message from her saying she is going to be in my area once again for 2 weeks and wants to meet me. We arranged to meet up at a nice outdoor bar. We ended up drinking wine and talking for 7 hours straight about life, our experiences, our goals, our passions. The chemistry was flowing through the air. My observations about her being a motivated, adventurous, and fun girl were all true. She had some of the most expressive eyes I have ever seen. She grabbed me to kiss me in the sweetest and most romantic way possible at the end of the night.
After we parted ways I knew this was going to be a problem, because I already started feeling strong emotions towards her. I had a lot of hookups and one night stands in the last couple years, but it had been a long time since I connected with someone on that level or met someone that really made me feel excited the way she did. The problem is she was only in my area for 2 weeks and is planning to move back to Europe early next year.
My head was telling me to stay away to protect myself, but my heart wanted to follow what felt so right. And I followed my heart, and saw her as much as I could in those 2 weeks. We experienced a lot of amazing moments together as I got to know her more, but in the back of my head knowing this might be a ticking time bomb.
Towards the end of her stay, we talked about how we felt about each other and both acknowledged we had strong emotions for each other, but knew our lives and plans were just pushing us on 2 separate paths. I work here in the US, she is planning to go back to Europe to start her career there.
I’ve always considered myself a rational thinker in terms of balancing school, my career and romantic relationships that I have had in the past, even in instances where I know I felt true love. But for the first time in my life, my heart is having me question everything and I’m truly considering dropping everything for this girl. She hinted at wanting me to visit her in Europe when she goes back to see her again. But she also fully respects my current goals and career if I want to just move on (which just makes her even more attractive to me).
Now I’m just completely torn and it has turned me into an anxious mess because I just can’t shake this one off.
TLDR: I fell for a beautiful, highly intelligent French girl who was in my area for 2 weeks. Now I’m stuck battling if I should let this go and follow my plans and career path or pursue what my heart tells me feels right.
EDIT: I’m thoroughly enjoying reading all of your responses. Both silly and thoughtful :) thank you
EDIT 2: TIL this sub is filled with romantics haha. Appreciate all the messages. I’m actually going to be flying to the state she is currently staying in over this weekend. I’m going to think about all this advice you wonderful people are leaving me before I talked to her again about this.