Dating jitters

by Phillip Eugene Zee
iQueer Columnist

I'm 19, just got out of high school last year and got asked out by a boy I really like (Josh). I don't know what to do, what to wear or what to say. I don't even know how to kiss, and I don't want to mess this up.

Josh is adorable and has dated boys before, but I haven't. He's a friend of my best friend, and I'm scared of messing up him because I'm not good enough (or whatever). Should I go, or call it off and just stay home?
Maybe I'm just not meant for all this dating stuff right now. What should I do?

Thanks,
Brandon P.

Dear never been kissed…

How flattering does that feel, getting asked out by a boy that you really like. This alone gives me goosebumps just for you. Congrats! Now, you are right to have all these questions bouncing back and forth through your head, and with your nerves all over the place but hey, stay calm…this stuff is really exciting.

Dating is something fun, the preparing a few days before, trying this shirt on with those shoes. Oh, don’t forget practicing saying hello Josh in the mirror over and over until you think it sounds right. To answer all your questions simply, he asked you out Brandon, you must be pretty special already to have to worry about anything. Trust me, so no don’t stay home – go and have a blast. And don’t worry if you are good enough or not, again – I think you must have something going on for you to be asked out.

It is natural to go through all the doubts when put into situations, trust me - I am in my 30’s and I still get extremely nervous when I am asked out. I take hours to make sure I have the right clothes on, I stumble on my words easily and most of the time I should be wearing a baby bib at dinner to catch all the food I drop, then I quickly realize the next day just how silly I am being. Besides, it’s always a good laugh either way.

If I can give you any advice at all when it comes to dating – enjoy it and have fun. Dating should be fun, and we all tend to get away from the actual definition of what is means to date. It takes a series of dates to be considered dating, and these dates are opportunities for each of you to get to know one another. No exceptions, no worries – just good fun, with handsome company.

Enjoy the date!!

Ps. I’m sure you’ve had the birds & the bee’s talk…right? BOOM! (Jeesh, I feel like your parent.)

The Gayly- 4/20/2016 @ 9:10 AM CDT