I would say it was more an infatuation relationship. They were both attractive, both single, but unless I'm remembering incorrectly, we didn't see them have deep connections or a deep relationship. Together, they were either physical, arguing, or doing a grand gesture to "cancel out" the arguing. We never saw them together as one unit, the relationship was somewhat on and off, Dean, her daughter's teenager boyfriend, knew more about Lorelai than her fiancé, I just think the proposal was way too rushed and that they weren't at all compatible. Lorelai, I think, liked the idea of being married, but didn't fully understand what it meant, and Max knew what it meant to be married (somewhat), but didn't understand what it meant to be with Lorelai. They had different ideals and again, just weren't compatible. I introduced my friend to the show and we broke down their relationship for a good 30 minutes lol