So there’s this girl. Yeah, we know: She’s fun, pretty, spiritually strong, and a good friend. You love hanging out with her, and you’ve started wondering about taking things to the next level—you know, a relationship. But why?
It sounds like you’ve got a good thing going. You know each other well. You have fun hanging out together without the awkwardness of being a couple. And you’re getting great practice in learning how to relate to the opposite sex.
So in all your deep contemplation, ask yourself these questions:
• Why do I want this girl friend to become my girlfriend?
• How would bringing romance into our friendship improve things?
• Am I sensing that she wants me to be more than a friend?
Stick with friendship if . . .
. . . your only motive is to have a cool label to throw around: girlfriend instead of friend who’s a girl.
. . . you catch yourself thinking that being “girl-less” from a romantic standpoint means being less of a guy.
. . . your other friends are pressuring you into something that shouldn’t be.
. . . your hormones are taking over your brain (a desire to kiss is not a good enough reason to want a girlfriend). 
