Why do people cheat anyway? Is it the thrill of doing something forbidden? Bored with a partner's physical attributes? Not mentally intrigued by one's partner? Partner not putting out enough?

Asking because I've never had a long term serious relationship, always been FWB type situations which I like because I'm not the committed type.

This.

Only thing to do now is tell her and apologize before she finds out some other way (and she will, believe me).

Hope I'm not necro-bumping, what's the time limit on that anyways?

It was only a kiss that she initiated...
You have be honest about your situation it doesn't matter what you did what matters is your current state in your relationship and what you know about your gf.
How long have you been dating?
You feel bad because you love her or because you are not supposed to cheat?
If you tell her how do you think she will respond?
How old are you?

It's all about acting like adults and speaking to each other. I for one, wouldn't consider what you did cheating, but it would likely damage my general view about you. If you can't talk it out with your girlfriend, I don't think it a relationship worth pursuing. Your girlfriend is someone to confide in, to make you feel safe, feel better - If it does the opposite, your relationship is gonna suck, no?

Ka-pi96 said: Unless new information is available for the topic, I believe the limit is around a month, so you should be good

Whew! thanks.

OP asked the question, "Would you ever excuse it?" Well, I have an interesting story:

I have a friend who has been married for over twenty years, with kids and all, and he recently confided in me that he realized many years ago that he married the wrong girl. He barely has anything in common with his wife, and they sleep in separate rooms and everything. He has stayed with her all this time for the good of his kids. Now his youngest kid is thirteen, and he and his wife have been talking about amicably divorcing (no nasty court battles etc.). But because of their financial situation, they won't be able to do it for another year or two.

Now here's the monkey wrench: There was another girl he was dating all those years ago, and he has never gotten over her. He has been trying to touch base with her for years, and recently succeeded. As it turns out, she had also been trying to get in touch with him for years - she has never gotten over him either, and she's not married. So they have been sneaking texts and phone calls, and have picked up right where they left off. Now they are talking about planning a visit tacked onto one of his business trips. He has been completely upfront with her about his situation, and she is more than willing to work with him on this.

He asked for my advice. My first thought was that he should wait until his divorce was final. But then I had another thought: what if he or his girlfriend got sick or died in the meantime? They are not that young anymore, and none of us knows how long we have. So I told him to go for it, cautiously - obviously his wife can't find out, because no matter how friendly they are at this point, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But if it was me, I would want to meet as soon as possible, just to see if this really could lead somewhere.

So what are your thoughts? Did I give him bad advice? What advice would you give him?