I realize the whole "dating up/down" concept can be pretty toxic and not something that can be measured in any quantifiable way, but I think there is something to it.

I'm 33M and I've been in a year-long relationship (31F) that has been fairly casual. We met on an app and did the traditional dating thing for 4 or 5 months. I realized I didn't see anything long-term with her and told her. Turned out she felt the same way and suggested friends with benefits. Which was great, exactly how I saw our relationship.

It's been about 6 months since then and feelings have definitely developed further for her. I think she may be falling in love. We acknowledged that we are more than FWBs but I still don't think I see things long term with her.

I think she's great, but in past relationships when I thought about my partner I had this "wow" feeling. This "she is so great and cool and successful and way too good for me" feeling. I don't have that in my current relationship. I enjoy spending time with her, I enjoy the sex and companionship, the friendship we have built. But I'm just not excited at the prospect of spending my life with her.

I'm just curious what your take is. Do you feel like you're "dating up" in your relationship? Is the best kind of relationship one where both partners feel like they are dating up? Is it even something that has crossed your mind?