[Titanscape (OP)]

If you have special friends and a very special one you want to marry, do you open your heart to them in all honesty and sincerity or hold things back? Can you really be friends if you hold your inner self back, would that be just dealing, just mechanical and superficial? Can you have a full friendship with limitations and secrets. And what if you are embarrassed, ashamed or afraid of being rejected and really want that relationship?

Titanscape

[Donnah]

Honesty is so much easier...you don't have to remember what lies you have told.  That said, you don't need to spew every thought that passes through your brain; sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut.  When you are not sure if you want to share a thought or memory, ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by (not) sharing.  Take your time getting to know someone, and take your time revealing your inner self.

[neilep]

As Donnah says, take your time...sometimes, most times , I think an onslaught of complete honesty can be a bit overwhelming and daunting, and you should see a relationship like a fruit or a flower with many layers which gradually peel off revealing more as the courtship continues......but, there are times when you should not have to be completley honest, what I mean by that, is, don't lie, but don't necessarily reveal all.....certainly, if you wish to marry then you should reveal the nature of your feelings , but don't sour it with too much information in one go.......the nature of a relationship is all about adventure and discovery, sharing and caring and depth of emotion with one special person. If you open your heart too quickly, then the 'flight of fancy' may be gone too fast.

Honesty is always the best policy, but just because you don't reveal all, does not mean you are lieing.

Being embarrassed, feeling ashamed ,being rejected is all part of it im afraid, love hurts...real bad sometimes, but, you can't escape the inevitable if the person you love does not feel the same as you do. We've all been there......well...I know I have.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'