Natural Order

Every relationship has a natural order through which it proceeds. Intimacy, should, in all circumstances, begin at the top. The most shallow parts of the water, so to speak... such as long hugs, holding hands, playing footsie (if you're the type for that), et cetera. Beyond that, everything gets hazy, because the moment you kiss that person, the line gets thinner, and easier to cross, and less visible, until you're actually crossing it.

I knew a guy once... that had his 'natural order' of things, entirely screwed up, somehow. He wouldn't hold a girl's hand, unless they were actually dating. He wouldn't kiss a girl's lips, unless they were actually dating. But he would wrap his arms around your waist. And he would engage in the sweet and tender finger flirtations, if you indulged him and returned any of his attention. He would come up behind you, and put his hands in your back, or front pockets. He might even, kiss your neck, or your cheek. His fingers would graze the skin, beneath your shirt, and even travel, all the way up. And on the random occasion, he might unclasp a girl's bra. And yet, he wouldn't kiss your lips, or actually hold your hand, unless you were dating.

Sound a little messed up to you? Yeah, well, I think most people would agree.

And this is why, there is a natural order to things. Because physical intimacy is a slippery slope, that simply gets steeper, the further you go. And of course, you want to go further, because everyone enjoys going down a hill much more than they do trying to climb back up a hill. Which is why, it is best, to build road blocks for yourself, so that you won't go down, until the time is right. Set up landmarks in your life, like marriage, that dissolve those roadblocks.