Some Dating Advice from Lydia Bennet About 6 Weeks into Her Relationship with Mr. Wickham

It is a truth universally acknowledged that everything that happens within the first 4–6 weeks of a relationship is indicative of exactly how that relationship is going to be forever.

I met Mr. Wickham in town six weeks ago and we haven’t been apart since. I had been nervous about trying to meet militia men, given their reputation, but I jumped in feet-first and threw my handkerchief to the first shiny ponytail I could see. I’m pleased to say that Mr. Wickham, George, was my first and last soldier.

I’ll never forget our first real date, it was at the country estate of my sister’s boyfriend and it was equal parts exhilarating and repressed. George knew by the end of the first longways country dance that he wanted to run away with me to Scotland- but I needed convincing. I had been disappointed by handsome men with brocade jackets before and it was going to take some time before I opened myself up to the idea of really being with Mr. Wickham. Luckily, that time was roughly the length of two cotillions and three fancy crystal glasses of champagne.

I am just so grateful to be able to say after six weeks that Mr. Wickham is truly my other half and my partner. I’m only sorry I couldn’t see it sooner. Now we are on our way to Scotland to elope and my life is so full of love and laughter and lying to innkeepers.

I know it might be easy to look at us and see us as the ultimate #relationshipgoals, but trust me when I say we’re not pros at this either. I’m sure this comes as a shock, considering that after 6 weeks and saying “I love you” once, you’re almost morally required to dole out relationship advice like a drunk aunt passing out crabcakes at a babyshower. But if you’d let me, I’d love to share some lessons I’ve learned during these six long weeks of constant sex, almost non-stop verbal affirmations and extremely minor disagreements that in no way belie any deeper compatibility problems.