It’s been said that “summer loving is a blast” and that “summer loving happens so fast.” Grease got this right by showing us the excitement of a summer romance. Whether you rekindle an old flame back home or meet a guy unexpectedly at the beach, it’s easy to get caught up in a hot and heavy summer romance, but with the end of summer comes a big decision—to turn your summer fling into a long-distance relationship, or to return to your studies unfettered and single. First you need to decide if your summer fling is simply an escape from reality or if your feelings are real and worth the work of a long-distance relationship. Friends can lend their opinions, but in the end, it’s you who must decide: is he a keeper or is it time to move on?
To make this decision, you need to ask yourself one question – How do you feel about him? You need to really think this through – there’s no use spending your summer savings on plane tickets if, come October, you find that he’s not as sensitive when he’s no longer tan and toned. Make sure this is heading in the direction of a healthy relationship where he treats you well and there’s a mutual respect. If you do decide to pursue a long distance relationship, how do you get him on board? You really like this guy, and it’s time to see if your summer loving remains a blast— it’s time for “the talk.”
If you’re a fellow Grease fanatic, you’ll remember that, when Danny and Sandy had the talk, they both shared their feelings to decide whether or not they should stay together. While I don’t recommend you dressing in a skin-tight black leather body suit and breaking out in song and dance about your feelings to your summer beau, you should follow Sandy’s lead when initiating this conversation.
Take your time.
You might be wishing that time could be on your side, but summer flies by quicker than expected. Since you don’t have all the time in the world, take the last couple weeks of summer to think about him and what he means to you. You need to be sure you’re willing to make the effort to stay with him or if you’re ready to let him go.
Know what you want.
Before you talk to him, understand what you truly feel and know what you need to say to him, otherwise you’ll send mixed messages and sound confused about what you want. Making a pros and cons list can help sort out the thoughts in your head before you share them. Also, sharing your thoughts with one or two of your closest girlfriends can give you some insight into the situation. Hopefully, your friends will give you some honest advice to help you out, although, in the end, the decision is up to you.
Respect his decision.
It’s never fun to be rejected by the guy of our dreams, but you can’t force him to be with you. It can come across as a little bit intimidating and it might send him running fast before anything serious has even begun. Instead, explain to him how you feel, but be ready for him to feel the same or to let you go.
Be confident!
It’s normal to be nervous, anxious, and a little afraid, but don’t let that affect your conversation. The most important thing is to be honest and prepared (which you are now!). Don’t get overemotional (sure, singing with your boyfriend may be the definition of overemotional, but that’s beside the point) and stay calm. Talk to him as if you were reading off your pros and cons list to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything you want to say. If the feelings are reciprocated, then woo-hoo! Your summer fling that “happened so fast” may actually last.