my long term same sex partner and i have previously been monogamous. for me, i realize it was a bit more of a happy default and the combo of my autism/ energy level (i don't go out and socialize often, so i'm not often meeting new people or feeling that spark/want and i don't have a lot of energy for or interest in meeting new frineds/ people in general, so i've never considered poly for myself). recently, i've reconnected with a close friend who has been monogamous in their relationship with their partner who it poly and has another partner. reconnecting as friends has been very intense and exciting! we have such a deep emotional bond and connection and admittedly a romantic interest. so, we've talked about it! named it! and we've discussed with our partners, as well. his, who is actively practicing poly, has been very supportive and open, while mine, who is not poly but is open this this dynamic, needs time. we've started couples therapy and are both in indiv therapy to really work on communication and how to support each other in emotional conversations and through hard feelings, and boundaries, and all those things! we've started couples therapy and explained the situation. we're very clear that there is going to be a lot of reading/ researching/ exploring/ discussing our values and interpretations and boundaries and interests and everything.

all to say: i know there is not a magical amount of time before moving towards this poly relationship dynamic, but what should i feel/know/ see/ what should happen in my relationship before knowing when it's a good time to move towards that? how do i understand the difference between friend with close bond who we share romantic attraction and interest into something more Poly/ relationship. i don't really know the difference.... how would you recommend navigating the current exisisting friendship?