@Gnomeshatecheese @EmmyNoether I guess I was typically under the impression that the very idea to consider dating someone was more likely due to outside influences (like how people date on TV shows) rather than any genuine desire to pursue a distinctly different relationship type from friendship. I was also caught off guard by the notion that beginning to date at 16 or 17 would be considered "late." In my mind "later than usual" would be more like 25 lol.