comment: >
  
  I sorta disagree, from personal experience.
  When I dated someone who I'd been friends with for years, it didn't turn out well. Yeah sure, I knew the bad and good things about them. But that's a double edged sword, because they figured that I would 'be okay with' the same things now that we were in a relationship. There was nothing new for me to learn about him and no bonding experiences that could help us know each other deeper/better, because we already knew each other incredibly well. He wouldn't shut up about his ex before or during our relationship. I gave him an ultimatum and he only continued. I broke up with him and then became an ex he won't shut up about. 
  However, when I met my current long distance partner, we only knew each other a month before getting together, as there was relatively quick mutual attraction. Our relationship is now 5 years strong and learning new things about them is/has been a bonding experience that I didn't have with the aforementioned ex of mine.
  So, I think this isn't true in all cases.
context: I met my wife in a bar. I was drunk as shit and my pickup line was "You're cute, wanna make out?"
  She said "hell no", but I talked to her again the next day when I was sober and we hit it off instantly. 
  I think the best relationships just don't involve the games, or one person chasing until the other finally settles and gives in. >
  
  Great story, but how were you able to talk to her again the next day? Or was she the bartender? >
  
  She was there drinking with her sister and added me on facebook later, and we also matched on Tinder the next day lol. She said she was impressed that I took her rejection well and didn't push it like most drunk guys in bars do. I think I apologized at the time too for being so forward, as it's not something I normally do/did. We were dating and basically living together 2 weeks later. >
  
  Oh wow it almost seems like you guys were meant to be together with everything falling into place like that lol. That’s amazing it worked out though and I wish you two the best of luck! >
  
  I was good friends with my husband for about 8 years before we started dating. I think we both just needed to grow up a bit. But when we told our friend group we started dating the general reactions was "about time!" So I guess it was obvious to everyone but us lol. >
  
  Me and my first wife were like rhat >
  
  Then what happened? >
  
  She enjoyed her co worker and dentist's penises, and when I voiced my discontent, she decided she was gonna become an actor and moved to Hollywood. The dentist so, "completely unconnected", moved too >
  
  Shit I'm sorry. >
  
  Ahh it's fine, we're both on spouse #3 now, the dentist lost her too, and she never got an acting role. Meanwhile I got 2 beautiful children, a lifetime of happiness, and got to ruin my second marriage all on my own >
  
  Congrats, I love happy endings!! >
  
  Hell yeah brother >
  
  You’re only saying that because it’s not real >
  
  What isn't real? My two divorces? >
  
  This is at least plausible. I agree that the strongest romantic relationships contain an element of robust friendship, but I'm not sure that you need to START like this first. It's possible to develop romance and friendship concurrently. >
  
  
  It's possible to develop romance and friendship concurrently.
  
  I really think this is what happened between my wife and I.  We met online gaming in 2000.  That doesn't sound revolutinary by today's standards but then it was.  We talked more and more and it just kind of developed that we were friends, then it moved to RL and not just games.  We became best friends and lovers all at the same time.  Been together ever since. >
  
  
  We met online gaming in 2000. Been together ever since.
  
  Don't give redditors too much hope..
  jk congrats! >
  
  LOL. It was a text based online trivia game. No photos no voice. Just text. You really get to know someone that way. No distractions. >
  
  What game? >
  
  Pyroto Mountain >
  
  Totally agree, I was friends with my wife for 2 years before we began dating. We will be having our 15th wedding anniversary in a couple weeks. >
  
  Congratulations! Yay for best friends!!