32 years ago I asked out a young woman daily for almost six months before our first date. (I promise - it wasn't as creepy as that sounds!) We have 2 beautiful boys and will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary this year - and she proposed to me after 8 years together.
I will have to write our story one day here for folks to disect - 'cuz I must have done something right. Not being an asshole probably helped, and also spent time getting to know her boss and coworkers. (Mall romance - back when those were a thing) We're both glad I was persistent - not being a creep and showing genuine interest in her as a person were probably the things that saved us.