Asking for a Friend

In my adolescence, when a relationship was not yet official because they had not asked to go steady or there was a certain hesitation to commitment, the person was referred to as a “jevo” (sorry, no way to translate. Is not a boyfriend but you're exclusive but its not official) and among friends, a friend with privileges.

Honestly, the term "friends" was a low blow because if there was “something else" that "friends" meant too little. Saying “friend” was hurtful because it put you in the friend zone's kingdom and if you had more privileges than a friend it wasn’t fair.

But, when you’re older how do you name your significant other? That’s a mouthful! When you’re together, hopefully exclusively, but they haven’t asked the official question. What name, label or title is used to define the relationship?

Han in there for the sake of love. Photo by Nick Fewings.

When my dear mother started dating her now husband, they were both in the second round of their youth, in the prime of the 60s, and I remember the time she told me that introducing him as her "boyfriend" sounded corny. Being in another stage in life she wanted a more mature word for her sweetheart.

I ask because I've been out of commission for years and I do not know if things have changed. I think that saying "partner" would be enough and you wouldn’t have to keep explaining yourself. But I’m curious…

Any thoughts ??

Side dish: “Ring” by Laura Izibor.