When is it a good time to take a relationship to the next level of intimacy? (dating, marriage)

[Vonnyj]

Hi everyone.

I met this guy in August this year & we've been dating every since.
We spend a lot of time together & there has not been one day where we haven't spoken.

It started out as friends & I made it clear that I won't have sex with anyone else until married, so we both agreed not to have unmarital sex.

Up to this date, we've been spending a lot of time with each other on dates, going to church, & also just hanging around each other.

For the last month, I finally allowed him to come into my home where he has been cooking for me & we watch TV with each other every evening after work.
These past 2 weeks, I let him spend some nights at my home.
We've been sleeping in the same bed & holding each other without any sexual intercourse.

I think both of our feelings are getting deeper but as he promised me in the beginning, he's a man who'll respect my wishes meaning no sex before marriage.

I now feel like I want to go to that next level of intimacy and I know he does too, but I'm the one who made the suggestion from the start to put it on hold.

What should I do, we are both human with those usual feelings?

[Thaskateguy]

Soon as He passes out???

[le roi]

I don't understand what time has to do with it.

[imalert]

It sounds like this guy have a lot of respect for you to keep his promise.

I think that you both sound like you are ready, so go ahead & fulfill feelings & dreams.

[Joseph Marnix]

How about kissing?

[Vonnyj]

Originally Posted by rubber_factory

I don't understand what time has to do with it.

The time thing has a lot to do with what I've been studying at church over the years.

Well I'm in my early 30's and as a faithful church goer, I always tried to follow the belief "Marriage First", but my feelings are starting to make me think otherwise.

[Coolhand68]

Well, just let things move on to the next level if that's what you are ready for, you can either let him know verbally that you are ready for him, or you can show him the next time he's sleeping over in your bed and the two of you are embraced in a kiss. There isn't a time line or deadline which needs to be met. You control the action.

[Oildog]

Why sleep over w/o sex?

[Vonnyj]

Originally Posted by Coolhand68

Well, just let things move on to the next level if that's what you are ready for, you can either let him know verbally that you are ready for him, or you can show him the next time he's sleeping over in your bed and the two of you are embraced in a kiss. There isn't a time line or deadline which needs to be met. You control the action.

That's good advice.

Thank you very much.

[Vonnyj]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Why sleep over w/o sex?

We love to be in each other's company.
I thought I could handle it without sex at first, but my feelings are giving me those thoughts.