Recently broke up with a long term girlfriend, and unintentionally like someone new

Strap in folks, this could be a long one. I am also on mobile so my apologies in advance.

I (19m) recently broke up with my girlfriend I have had since sophomore year of high school (roughly 3 years) . We broke up for ~7 months in the middle (i was still in high school, she came back for the summer, and i kinda regret getting back together), but have been dating for the past year. I ended things less than a month ago, and a few days after, a friend-of-a-friend who I had hung around with in big group settings a few times (with my girlfriend present sometimes) added me on snapchat.

She didn’t add me because of the break up, because I hadn’t told anyone yet. But there was definite chemistry between us when we had hung out in the past, as we share tons of interests and got along quite well; so much so that she made my ex a bit jealous despite us not flirting at all.

She recently got out of a year long relationship about a month and a half ago, and we have been talking consistently for the last week or two.

Now, I want to clarify that I didn’t break up with my ex for her. The relationship was past it’s expiration date by some time, and neither of us were happy anymore. It took some time to muster up the courage to end it because it was both our (mine and my ex’s) first relationship, and it was serious at that. I respect her as a person and there’s no hard feelings from me. It was a good experience overall, I just knew it wasn’t meant to be. And I think I knew this for awhile before I finally grew a pair and ended it. That’s my only real regret from the relationship.

But now there’s this girl, who I genuinely like, and who likes me back. And I don’t know what to do.

I don’t feel residual feelings for my ex, and don’t have a desire to be with her at all. But, I recognize it’s been a short period of time. And I don’t want that to cheapen this relationship. I don’t feel for her like it’s a rebound, in fact i’m excited for all the interests we share and how cool it’s going to be to do things together that we both enjoy.

So my question is, is this okay? I don’t plan on starting to date her tomorrow, and she’s acknowledged that I can have my space. We will be going to the same college this fall, and likely hanging out a few times this summer. But how long do I wait to make this a real relationship, not a rebound? How long do I wait so I don’t look like some dick that dumped his long term girlfriend for someone new?

Sorry if this has been all rambling. Thanks in advance!

Submitted June 04, 2019 at 12:15AM

Strap in folks, this could be a long one. I am also on mobile so my apologies in advance.I (19m) recently broke up with my girlfriend I have had since sophomore year of high school (roughly 3 years) . We broke up for ~7 months in the middle (i was still in high school, she came back for the summer, and i kinda regret getting back together), but have been dating for the past year. I ended things less than a month ago, and a few days after, a friend-of-a-friend who I had hung around with in big group settings a few times (with my girlfriend present sometimes) added me on snapchat.She didn’t add me because of the break up, because I hadn’t told anyone yet. But there was definite chemistry between us when we had hung out in the past, as we share tons of interests and got along quite well; so much so that she made my ex a bit jealous despite us not flirting at all.She recently got out of a year long relationship about a month and a half ago, and we have been talking consistently for the last week or two.Now, I want to clarify that I didn’t break up with my ex for her. The relationship was past it’s expiration date by some time, and neither of us were happy anymore. It took some time to muster up the courage to end it because it was both our (mine and my ex’s) first relationship, and it was serious at that. I respect her as a person and there’s no hard feelings from me. It was a good experience overall, I just knew it wasn’t meant to be. And I think I knew this for awhile before I finally grew a pair and ended it. That’s my only real regret from the relationship.But now there’s this girl, who I genuinely like, and who likes me back. And I don’t know what to do.I don’t feel residual feelings for my ex, and don’t have a desire to be with her at all. But, I recognize it’s been a short period of time. And I don’t want that to cheapen this relationship. I don’t feel for her like it’s a rebound, in fact i’m excited for all the interests we share and how cool it’s going to be to do things together that we both enjoy.So my question is, is this okay? I don’t plan on starting to date her tomorrow, and she’s acknowledged that I can have my space. We will be going to the same college this fall, and likely hanging out a few times this summer. But how long do I wait to make this a real relationship, not a rebound? How long do I wait so I don’t look like some dick that dumped his long term girlfriend for someone new?Sorry if this has been all rambling. Thanks in advance!