My friend accused me of only wanting a situationship because I said that I wanted to date but I wasn't sure about the down the road stuff like cohabitation and marriage. I have a differing view, I think it is a real relationship.
Back story I spent more then a decade married to an abusive narcissist, seperated 2.5 years ago, I was celibate and single for 2 years until I started dating April of this year. I started off only wanting a casual connection but after a short situationship with someone I started feeling as though I would like something more stable. Since then I've been dating with the goal of something more long term. And when I say long term I mean someone that I know is there for me, and Im there for them, and who will put in the effort to integrate me in to their life, as I will do with them. Someone who will prioritize me like I will prioritize them. However, I'm a single mom and as such I don't want to introduce my kids to anyone because I don't know if I'll ever be recovered enough to live with another man let alone marry another man. So I wouldn't think of introducing anyone to my kids unless I've been dating them for at least 2 years and I felt like they are my person. After being trapped in a physically, sexually, emotionally, mentally, and financially abusive marriage I am not looking to rush into anything like that again. I want to take my time and enjoy living a life that I truly love. I want to share my life, my ups and downs with this person but I'm just not sure if that will ever evolve into something that involves cohabitation or shared finances and assets.
So is what Im looking for a situationship or a relationship? My friend is making me mad because he is downplaying my desire to want something real as if I'm just playing games. But my other friends also agree with him and they all say I'm just lonely right now and playing games. I should note I became close friends with these people when I had just started dating again in April so they have only seen me dating in the casual sense.