I'm a 29 year old man who is about to get married in a few months. Since it's an arranged marriage I was confused as to how to initiate sex and physical intimacy with my partner without it being awkward. Thank you

Ans: Dear Anonymous,

First of all, congratulations.

It's natural to feel a bit anxious, especially since it's an arranged marriage; you might still be getting to know each other. My advice would be to focus on building emotional intimacy first. Then have an open conversation about how comfortable your partner is; marriage is forever, you can wait a while for your partner to feel secure with you and then initiate sex. Spend quality time with her and start with small gestures of intimacy like holding hands, a peck on the cheek, and the like. Respect her boundaries and understand there's absolutely no rush. Last but not least, consent is a must.

With time and emotional intimacy, physical intimacy should come naturally. Don't overthink it.

Best wishes for your wedding.