Two years ago, when I was 16, my dad tried to set me up with one of his business partners. I told him off, and he never tried that again. Soon after that, I met this guy through my friends, and we started dating. He’s only one year older than me, so it’s age-appropriate. It’s a very laid-back and fun relationship, but we have to keep it low-key since we live in the Gulf region, and he’s a native. Due to sociocultural, religious, and even legal factors, he’s not supposed to date. However, like many of these wealthy native Gulf families, they do everything they’re not supposed to do on the down low. I don’t know if it will necessarily last long-term, but for now, we’re having a good time.


Honestly, most of my first few relationships were awkward bumbling affairs. Lot of heart, excitement and zero experience dealing with it all plus another person going through the exact same nonsense.
If you’re looking for advice that I would’ve loved, it’d be pretty basic; be safe, have fun and don’t ever let him make you ever feel uncomfortable.