This is the first time I’ve heard of a COVID test first date. If anyone else has spent a date doing this, I’d love to know. I guess there can be a lot of bonding time as you wait for the swab.

As for your question(s), my first thought is that it’s hard to balance multiple eggs and baskets right now. Because of COVID-19, we have to be very careful about who we see, how, and where. That’s my big question about your relationship with this man. When you see him, is the assumption that you’re in the same bubble? Are you seeing him outside? Is there kissing? Is he kissing others? Those are some good followup questions after that tipsy conversation. There’s no reason to make massive decisions about a relationship after a month and a half, but you should know where you both stand on rules for safety.

There’s also the emotional part of this. That’s risky too. It’ll become less scary, I think, if you talk to him about boundaries. If he has a bunch of dates with someone else, you’d want to know. If he stops dating other people, you’d also like to be told. Honestly, it’s just about knowing how much to give and how open to be to others. You can let him know you’re also figuring out whether this has long-term potential by evaluating the relationship as it goes. It’s not like you’re sure this is your endgame, right? It’s still early.

You can continue to communicate with this man but call it what it is – the start of something. You ask, “Am I investing all my time in someone and a relationship may not go anywhere?” How much time are we talking about here? This relationship is new. Even if you’re not seeing others, you should be reaching out to friends, community … anything to remind yourself that he’s not the center of your world … yet.

– Meredith

Readers? What boundaries should be set here? Should this LW try to talk to others?