u/AcanthaceaeOk4935

I’m locked in on courting this girl. First date was just a walk, get to know you type of deal. Second date, I got her her favorite flower (she had casually mentioned on date 1) and made a cute lil wrap thing and she liked it. Third date was super casual, she made me a whole ass spread of food. Fourth date, I have some time bc she’s out of town, I wanna get her something or do something really really sweet. I have some ideas. But soliciting more can’t hurt. Any suggestions?

Asking specifically for guys who have been in a serious relationship with the same girl for a long time, especially married folks.

Thinking back to the first time you met your lady, or first time you went out. How long, how many dates before you were certain that you had deep feelings and could see yourself with the person long term?

I just had a third date with a girl, and got that first lil kiss session at the end of the date and I had never felt that sort of chemistry with a girl. It was like a dang movie, I didn’t know that kinda thing was real. Some real like avatar connection stuff. I don’t know how to interpret this. I’ve also never been so entranced by a girl, she’s uniquely pretty, like so pretty that I can’t even picture her in my head. There’s too much going on. I gotta see her irl. Idk. I’m flustered gang.

Got a match on a dating app. I thought she was super pretty. We hit it off over text; a lot of the same niche interests and similar vibe overall. We met up for a walk, and she was even prettier in person, like the way she talks and walks and everything. Just classy but also down to earth, has lived a very cool life.. we were only together a few hours but I’m pretty sold.

At the end of the walk, I think she was about to ask me to do something the next day and I (like a fool) said I was busy before she could ask. So I asked her out for a second date and she said yes, but we haven’t yet set a date. She’s supposed to tell me when works for her soon. Should I be like texting her casually in the meantime? I don’t think she’s a big texter. Neither am I. But I want to stay in touch and make sure she knows I’m interested! I’ve been out of the dating pool for like 10 years so idk. I think I’m overthinking this entirely. Any advice?

28M, she’s 26F

28M
Income: $142k base, ~60-70k / year RSU (stock awards vesting), TC: ~$200-215k
Nest egg: $154k in $QQQ, $30k 401k, $175 in my new HSA lol, $10k in HYSA (emergency fund), $5k checking.
NW: (including car etc.) ~$210k

Cost of living: $5k/month (single, I rent ($2300/mo), no debt, but I spend a lot..)

I have about $5k a month on average left over after tax each month, varies bc of stock vest schedule. But I can put that money away.

I want to start a family at 32. By then, my income should be closer to $320k (promo in-prog rn), and my mental model is that the extra ~$105k/$68k after tax will support the family part and I’ll still have $5k a month for investments.

I want to retire by 45. By retire, I mean just downsize my career and become a landscaper or something.

I’m bullish on my investments and expect 10% avg over these next 17 years. This would pan out to a $3.7m nest egg at 45. If I can earn enough mowing lawns to not touch it, it’ll grow and by 60, I should have adult kids and low expenses and be able to buy a beach house.

Feels like an airtight plan. But I want to check my bias. Rip it up Redditors.

I’m a 28 year old guy, single no kids. In good shape, people say I’m smart, clean history, motivated.

I work for one of the biggest trucking companies in the US right now, heading up safety and compliance programs. The pay is great (~$200k), and the work life balance is good. Lots of flexibility.

But I’m bored with the routine and I’m over the corporate grind, where enough is never enough in the career. I have plenty of money, and very little expenses. I don’t care about pay anymore, just enough to keep my nest egg growing and I’m good.

I want to go after something meaningful (what I do now is meaningful and saves lives, but I want to talk to people and have a more direct and tangible impact daily). I thought about becoming a cop. But I want more of a challenge, where I can be pushed. I looked into FBI training and I think that’s what I’m craving. Bonus points if I get to do some field work at the end.

FBI people: any words of wisdom?