Q - Dear Annabelle, I gotta problem. I told u about the girl I like before. Well I don't know her much, and she said I have 2 get to know her. I danced with her twice, and they were close dances. Iām in 8th grade, she's in 7th grade. What should I do? What are some ways I can get 2 know her better?? Please write back to me soon, I need your advice. Donāt ignore me please, thanks A - Dear Brendan, Iām about 600 letters behind here, so I must be brief. At 13, single dating is not in your best interests. Leave that until youāre sixteen or so. Group dating through your church or school is a better idea for you at 13. (Yes, I very clearly remember being 13 and all the new and wonderful stuff that seemed to need being done all at once.) Not true.....slow down and get to know people in groups. Its better for your social development that way. Your church or school functions are appropriate places for young people to meet and practice getting to know each other as individuals. Remember, itās not that long ago that you thought girls were Īyukkyā and thereās a few years of emergent learning that need to take place here. If you want to send the young lady a card and a chocolate chip cookie with a note that she was the Īprettiest girl at the danceā, thatās good practice for when youāre older. You can invite her to your home for dinner. You are simply too young for romantic entanglements. Donāt rush things, youāve got a long time to be a Ībig kidā and youāre not that far past being a fan of Mr. Rogers. Trust me, trying to force your development by moving too fast on the boy/girl front will create mischief you wonāt have the emotional savvy to deal with for some years to come. Remember, in life, just because you CAN do something, doesnāt mean you SHOULD do it. In this case, stick to group dating.....you have much to learn and, by staying with group and chaperoned dating, you are much less likely to come a cropper socially. - Annabelle