Adventures in Platonic Friendships:

Being friends with Chris has presented its challenges this semester. The thing about Chris and me is that we spend a lot of time together and we're a pretty good team - we do homework, play music and cook and stuff. We've been friends since 2011, so there's a certain kind of ease and comfort that comes with time. But we're not dating. And we never will. That's just not the nature of our friendship.

However, this makes things really difficult for potential dates. The other day a girl asked how we know each other, and I panicked and told her that I was his half-sister so I wouldn't "be in the way" in case she was interested. (Next time I should say "cousin.")

Another time at church, a friend saw us and asked me if I was on a date with Chris. I announced (rather loudly) that I was not going out with anyone, so I wouldn't scare any of the guys in my ward away. 

My mom has texted me on a few occasions saying: "When you have pictures together on the internet, it looks like you're a couple. Just saying." I kind of have to have to shrug my shoulders at that, because there is literally nothing I can do about what other people think.

 I try to set things straight with people who are confused about "what Chris and I are??" but still. 

I understand that if I were a third party observer, I would completely think that we were in a relationship as well. Even people that know us ask us "why we just don't get married already?" and we just laugh it off. But it just bothers me that sometimes we have to tone it down or act differently just so people don't assume things about us. Maybe it is really uncommon to see guys and girls who can just be friends with each other, but it's just something I wish people didn't have to deal with. I should try to find other people who are in the same situation and see what they do?