Falling For My Work Husband

Monday | May 9, 2016

Love Letters Relationships

Falling For My Work Husband

A reminder: Love Letters is joining GlobeDocs for a screening of “Love Between The Covers,” a documentary about romance novels. The free screening is May 16 at 7 p.m. at the private Theatre 1. I saw this film last year and became obsessed with screening it for Love Letters. Please RSVP and join.

Hi Meredith,

Longtime reader, first-time writer. I’m a 33-year-old single woman and I’m in love with my 30-year-old single work husband. (Just in case that term isn’t a familiar one for readers, “work husband” is a platonic BFF of sorts that you work with, who is as close as a spouse).

My work husband is also a friend outside of work and one of the most supportive people people my life. We have chemistry. We have inside jokes. Our mutual friends think we should be dating but alas, he has never made a move. I hate to risk losing what we have because I adore him, but I would much prefer he be my real-life boyfriend and future husband instead of my work husband. Can I transition us out of the space we’re in?

– Work Spouse to Real Girlfriend, Burlington

Everyone in this situation is single. Whew.

It sounds like you guys are close enough outside of work to have a quick talk about the state of your union. It’ll take some courage, but you can ask whether he’s ever thought about more. You can tell him that you’ve developed some feelings and can’t figure out what to do with them.

Yes, the disclosure might make things awkward, especially if he doesn’t feel the same way, but it’s already uncomfortable. You’re pining. You might as well get some answers.

The fact that he’s a real-life friend makes this easier to navigate. He’s not just a co-worker who disappears at the end of the day. He’s in your life. You’re allowed to ask what that means.

(Just don’t use the phrase “future husband.” That would be bad.)

– Meredith

Readers? Should she talk to him about this? Would he have made a move if he was interested?

Office Crush Relationships