Dating stinks.

Well, actually I don't really know that. I mean, I've never even been on a date (yes, it's ok to laugh). I hear a lot from people about their experiences. From my extensive listening, it doesn't sound too great all the time.

Sure, some people have more luck than others do when it comes to dating and people certainly, have fun with it. Others, not so much. I feel that I'm the luckiest of them all.

I have friend crushes.

Friend crushes are on their own separate level when it comes to love. When people have a crush on someone, the warm, fuzzy feeling can go away sometimes. It obviously happens all the time, even with people who have made a formal commitment to be with each other forever. With friend crushes, that feeling is there all the time. There are moments where just thinking about a certain friends makes me feel like giggling and smiling to myself. Admittedly, I often daydream about what life will be like when we're old and still best friends. Simply put, it's being in love with your friends but not being in love with them.

Personally, all my friend crushes have left me in awe. I am smitten with all the people I am elated to call my friends. There are so many ways to fall in love with friends, it's almost insane. There are the friends who are so smart and intellectual, I can't help but smile at the fact that they have grabbed every opportunity to learn. Then there are the friends with immense ambition, and I stand amazed at what they have to offer the whole world. Then there are the friends who love so deeply, I often wonder how big their heart is. I constantly question how thoroughly one person could love another so intensely. After thinking about all these people, I'm constantly left with the thought, "How on earth did I ever deserve people like this in my life?"

There are moments when I think about my friends so deeply, it's honestly embarrassing (and maybe a tad bit creepy). Given the fact that I have personally made friends with some of the most incredible, inspiring people on the earth, it makes sense.

Often, I feel so undeserving of the people that I have friend crushes on. It's almost like being "out of someone's league." Then I remember that friendship is a two-way street, and I feel glad someone mutually chose to be friends with me.

I choose not to date nor do I make any effort to be romantically involved with another person. Sure, maybe I'm lazy or not hopeful about romance. With my friend crushes, I feel that I have enough love in my life that romance isn't even needed. To me, friend crushes are better than any date you could ever take me on.