[The Fuse]

I wouldn't say "under our wing", but we have certainly talked to newbies about how we got started, things we learned along the way, etc. We've also answered questions people have asked us. We try to have a light touch when talking to newbies, because coming off like an advisor or teacher is not sexy.

As far as whether it's better for newbies to first connect with other newbies or with more experienced people, that's a matter of personal taste. Some newbies are afraid of the more experienced, thinking they will go too fast, apply too much pressure, or generally be callous. Some newbies end up connecting with other newbies, and if there are "newbie issues" on both sides, then the effect is compounded.

Some newbies actually seek out a more experienced couple for their first encounter. Personally this is the way we went, though it wasn't really done on purpose, and we were happy about it. Our first partners were completely stable, had been around, and dealt with our nervousness and hesitancy. In short, they were considerate.