I don't know how to handle this

[avant-garde]

I was just in the supermarket before Bible study and I'm a naturally smiley person and this guy thought I smiled at him and he took note of my fidget necklace and he asked me out.

[Rhymster]

@avant-garde always remember the choice is yours alone, I have had many assume my nice and kind nature think they are entitled to more than I am willing to give from the opposite sex.

[RebelliousAngel]

Hey @avant-garde how do you feel about him asking you out? Did you exchange any details with him? 

[avant-garde]

@RebelliousAngel 

Overwhelmed, scared, I feel like I defaulted into trauma behaviour, a bit flirty and giggly and I don't like that side of me. I'm much more confident in my writing and so we exchanged email addresses.

[RebelliousAngel]

@avant-garde think it's normal to default back to trauma behaviour in situations like that, especially when they happen out of nowhere. Just know that things are in your control, you don't have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you want to email him and see where things go from there then that's up to you and if things don't feel right then it's completely ok to step away from the situation. 

[PigeonHead]

avant-garde, I'm sorry to hear you were put in that sort of position. Don't feel like you owe this guy anything. Unfortunately people can take advantage of friendly people and their appearances and assume it's an invitation. It's okay to kindly decline and maintain boundaries. Most people should respect that 🙂

[Patches59]

@avant-garde 

Similar to @RebelliousAngel said, take your time, doing things that feel right, comfortable and where you have control.

with my late husband we exchanged emails for quite awhile before both agreeing to meet.  First time we meet was at a cafe which I decided on in area that was not near suburb either of us lived in.

You’ve got this @avant-garde   💛💛

[RebelliousAngel]

@Patches59 i definitely agree with meeting in a public place and in a suburb different to where either of you resides. Take your time with things @avant-garde, there's no rush at all 🩵

[avant-garde]

@Patches59 

Over 10 years ago I received a piece of guidance that I was reminded of last night that made the decision for me. 

I'm a strong and steadfast Christian, he's Buddhist but keen to learn. 

What my friend told me is when considering a guy, you want to be able to look to him as the potential husband he could become, that means someone who can be the biblical husband and the one you can look to and rely on as the spiritual head of the house. 

This guy wouldn't meet that criteria, I would be further along in my faith than he is which would potentially weaken mine, but the balance needed in a relationship wouldn't be there.

@ENKELI @tyme @Shaz51 can I get your opinions on this?

[ENKELI]

@avant-garde it can be difficult and yes to be unequally yoked can cause your own faith to fade. I have a friend who married a man who shared her faith but after being married for several years his faith has gone cold. Her faith has kept strong but I know it hasn't always been easy for her. 
As Christians we should date with the intention of marriage, I think you were very smart in swapping email addresses first because you can get to know him and it's easier to be honest in an email than it is in person sometimes. 
And of course, give it to God. If you are feeling uncomfortable it could be His voice gently warning you. Keep us updated (if you want to) on what happens xo