If you could go back in time what would you tell your younger self about dating/ relationships?

[Anonymous]

Married an attractive wife. She does not have to be beautiful. She does need to be intelligent, ambitious, and have a good sex drive.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from porn.

[Anonymous]

Don't spend your college years in a LTR with your HS boyfriend!

[Anonymous]

Oh LTR and long distance LDR!

[Anonymous]

Have more meaningless sex with hot guys.

[Anonymous]

Don't mask your fear of rejection with the facade of being selective. "No" is not as scary as you think.

Date a lot. Don't underestimate the value of relationship experience. It's less about finding "the one" and more about finding yourself: your likes, your dislikes, and most importantly your own flaws and issues.

Your job is not to be someone's therapist. You may find that "fixing" someone only results in them becoming a version of themselves that is no longer compatible with you. The same goes for letting someone become your therapist.

Never lie about your feelings especially to yourself. Staying in a relationship to preserve their feelings or your illusion will only magnify the pain.

[Anonymous]

I feel I did not make mistakes. I was conservative and I dated a lot (without sex) so that was a good thing. I was always careful of my physical safety - drinks, transportation, going in groups, I was with my DH for 4 years (holding hands, touching, kissing but no oral or intercourse) before we got married. Before marriage, my DH was posted in other countries and we had long periods of separation. I am very glad that we did not have sex and were virgins on our wedding night, because we realized that we loved sex a lot. If we would have had sex with each other, we probably would have also had sex with other people when we were separated for long periods. More than the virginity, I really took care of my heart and was very cautious about giving it away.

[Anonymous]

If you want to marry, don’t put marriage off too long. I don’t mean you have to marry by 22 . Just that you don’t have to be 33 to be ready for marriage. Related to that don’t settle but don’t be so picky that you’re always chasing better and then you hit 35 take whatever is available to have a baby and 2 years and a kid later you realize you can’t stand your husband and should have married the guy you were seeing at 28 who wanted to marry you, but you didn’t because “ you were too young and none of your friends were married.

[Anonymous]

Don’t put your life on hold for someone else. I skipped a year abroad in Australia for someone I don’t even speak to anymore. In that vein take the opportunities you are given when you’re young. Things happen when you’re older too, but it’s so much easier to get up in go when you’re single and 20 something than when you’re 30/40s with spouse, career, kids and aging parents.

[Anonymous]

If the pretty girl smiles at you and says hello go for it. Don’t second guess yourself.

[Anonymous]

Don’t only go for bad boys. I wish I’d had more confidence and been less shy, too.

[Anonymous]

No one with baggage or health issues. Choose from UMC or better, educated, career, ambitious and energetic. DW is a perky blonde and fits all of the above except, family baggage. Her mother is high maintenance drama queen.

[Anonymous]

Be serious about dating interracially. Do not lower your standards because a man can check one box off on your list. Realize that that box is not very important before it's too late.

[Anonymous]

Don’t let others shame/talk you into dating interacially if it’s not what you want to do.

[Anonymous]

Guys in bands aren’t necessarily good in bed.