This past summer, I began dating someone who I am more than happy to now call my girlfriend. Aside from mutual friends and common beliefs, we really began to realize just how much we had in common when it came to really geeky hobbies, collections, and dreams. Over the course of the summer, we have both begun to really discover, support, and engage in our different areas of nerdism. Due to how much fun we have had (and of course, with her stamp of approval), here are a number of reasons as to why dating a geek is awesome.

1. You can be Comfortable in Expressing Who You Are

It can be difficult to really express yourself around those who do not understand nor see eye to eye on what it is that you are passionate about. When you are with someone who shares similar or even the same interests and passions, there is a large sense of comfort to be who you are. This would include cosplaying, reading, long interactive conversations, and waiting in line desperately to see your favorite book series come to life on the big screen. There is no shame in expressing your geekiness with someone who is as geeky.

2. Reading Together Can Become Dates

Our first date together was a little nerve wracking, which was completely understandable for the both of us. For us to get comfortable with each other, I suggested that we would spend some time reading together at Barnes & Noble and for two hours, we sat and read graphic novels and hard cover literature. After we finished and got ready for lunch, we had a long talk about what we enjoyed about each book. From then on, we became very comfortable throughout the day and thereon. It may seem odd at first to just sit in silence reading together, but to be honest, it is a lot of fun as you both can just sit and enjoy each other's presence.

3. Exploring New Realms and Passions

While we were both really geeky, we had very significant differences. When we first met, she was very into Harry Potter and Doctor Who while I was heavily into Batman and Fullmetal Alchemist. While we still love these fictional stories and characters, we began to introduce each other to different areas of literature and film. Along with her brother, I got her into Fullmetal Alchemist and she got me into Harry Potter and it has been an adventure exploring each other's fictional realms. While we do not thoroughly understand each other's fandoms *cough* Doctor Who *cough" we still certainly appreciate them and give them chances.

4. You Experience Their Fandoms

When you begin to dig into each other's passions and interests, you bring the best out of them as they express who they really are. With the help of a close friend, I was able to get us tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood and it was going to be her first time at the Hogwarts attraction. I could not tell you how excited she was from the atmosphere, the architecture, the characters, the rides, the butterbeer, and more. About a month and a half later, we saw the Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) film together and saw Suicide Squad (2016) later that same day. The way she geeked out at Hogwarts is how I did during both movies. You cannot deny the enjoyment of seeing your significant other go into full out fandom mode when they express their excitement.

5. Every Date Becomes an Adventure

Due to how much you both are fascinated by the fictional realms in books, movies, and comics, just about every date becomes an adventure. While you may not get to travel new worlds or interact with creatures from another planet or dimension, you do enjoy exploring new places and sites together. Over the course of two months, we explored and showed each other new places such as the Last Bookstore in LA, the Hollywood Bowl, the Getty Museum, Disneyland, and so much more. On top of that, a number of these places within the LA area were either inexpensive or completely free, making them all the more enjoyable and less stressful financially.

6. You share empathy for the world as you do with fictional ones

A very true stereotype about geeks is how much they invest into fictional characters to the point where they identify themselves with them or understand their pain and sorrow. Also among geeks is the fact that we take that sympathy and empathy and apply it to our own lives and the people we come into contact with. You see a particular reflection of the world and even your own life when you watch or read about characters and their trials. We both nearly teared up over the death of the beloved Lt. Hughes in Fullmetal Alchemist as he appeared as a very fatherly figure to Edward and Alphonse (spoilers for those that have not read that far into the series). When you cry over a character, you do not have to go through it alone.

7. Long and Deep conversations

When you have a deep passion for something, you can go on for hours straight on end about the subject. In the area of geekiness, these topics can vary from philosophy to politics, psychology, and even spirituality. When I listen to Emilie talk about Harry Potter or The Hunger Games, I absolutely enjoy seeing her get passionate as she goes into rich detail about particular characters, comparing the book series to the films, and connecting the games back to the Roman Gladiators where audiences cheered when people died in the ring. A few weeks ago, she listened to me as I went a long philosophical spiel about mankind fearing what they do not understand regarding godlike figures such as Superman and Wonder Woman and how the pros and cons of Batman's no killing rule affect his ongoing war on crime. These talks are fun to have and also make the significant other more interesting and even more attractive.

While these are only seven reasons, there are countless others that come into play when dating a geek. The possibilities are nearly endless from dates to conversations and fictional stories to go through and they are priceless moments. So what are you waiting for? Go on a quest with that special someone!