Problem/Goal:
I need advice on how to transition from being "best friends" to a formal suitor (liligawan) without making the dynamic awkward, and how to properly navigate the "legal" aspect of courting with her mother.
Context:
M22 here. I’ve had a girlfriend in the past but it’s the type na secret relationship from the parents and also the type na your relationship went from MU to girlfriend because of how much time you’ve spent with each other you felt na kayo na.
Deep down I’ve always hated that, which is one of the many reasons I broke up with her.
I’m finally glad I found someone that I know i’m compatible with. Lots in common, makes me laugh, really sees me the way I am, and etc.
One day, I decided to finally man up and asked if I could court her. I told her na hindi naman need ng answer right away but she accepted. She then told her mom na I was courting her which is a big plus for me. I’ve never really talked to her mom before so we just communicated through the girl im courting regarding me and her.
But it hits me after a few days, I really have no Idea what I’m doing 😭 I mean we were bestfriends talaga. I don’t know how I should really approach her na because kami ung type na laging maki-pag joke about each other, not in a flirty way.
I already told her that I’ll show my true intentions through my actions, but honestly? I’m kinda lost. This is all new to me. Because we were best friends first, our dynamic is built on jokes and non-flirty banter. Now that I’m officially courting her, I feel like I’m stuck between wanting to be romantic and not wanting to kill the "best friend" vibe that made me fall for her in the first place.
I don't want to become a "corny" or "simpy" version of myself that she doesn't recognize, but I also don't want to stay so casual that it feels like nothing changed.
Questions:
How do I start being romantic or "showy" without it feeling forced or cringe given our history of just being bestfriends?
Since she already told her mom (which is great), What’s the etiquette here of approaching her mom for someone who’s never done the "legal" courting thing before? Should I tell her every SINGLE time we hang out? should I add her on socials? 😭 (she’s not in our region for work but she said she’s fine communicating through her daughter)
I told her I’d show it through actions, but aside from the usual hatid-sundo or buying food, what are meaningful ways to court a best friend that don't feel like I'm just doing what a friend would do?
For those who were in the same situation as me, how did you handle it?