Because you’re her first boyfriend, my guess is that she went to family and friends for advice when you told her you loved her, and they worried that she was moving too fast and the two of you were going to run off together. I think her sudden change of heart is a result of inexperience and outside advice. So where does that leave you?
My advice is that you continue to try and date her. If she sees that you’re having said you love her doesn’t change the day to day relationship, she may relax a little — and so may her family and friends. Basically, you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t have a lot of relationship experience and is looking to others for advice — which is normal, but the problem with advice is that people who give it are often biased or don’t see the entire situation from both sides. Her family and friends may not know you that well, or they may have perceptions about you that aren’t true.
Dating is about winning her over — and sometimes it means winning over her family and friends. Certainly that’s true, historically. And sometimes things haven’t changed that much over the years.
Don’t give up yet. Send flowers. Invite her to the movies. Drop off a silly gift like a big stuffed animal or something that’s special to the two of you. She may come around once she processes things. And if she doesn’t, then what you’ve learned is that sometimes it’s easier to date someone who’s really ready for a serious relationship, rather than just looking for experience. But a last word of advice: do NOT get stuck in the friend zone. If she doesn’t want to date you, you need to move on.
I hope that helps. Let me know how things go, and please follow me @AskAprilcom on Twitter and on Facebook at this link: [url][/url].
