You talk every day.
He's heard you burp. He's seen you cry. He's listened about your ex.
He's your best friend.
For years, you've heard "You would make such a cute couple," and have actually laughed out loud about how absurd that sounds. "No, he's just a friend," you've assured your mom repeatedly. But, for some reason it feels different now. The thing about falling in love with your best friend that is different is that it's immediate. One day you love your best friend, and the next you're in love with him. There's a difference, and you feel it. Perhaps, it's a hug that goes longer than normal. Or a laugh that feels lighter. However, when it happens, the feeling is immediate. Your vision of him shifts. You've always heard that best friends make the best lovers. They do. But, sometimes they can make the best strangers.
Here are the steps and risks.
Tell him your feelings. Boys aren't good at subtle hints. No matter how many times you flirtatiously touch his arm, he might not get it.
Great things can come from being in love with your best friend. Chances are he loves you, too, right? I mean you're the "chill," sarcastic Emma Stone that he plays video games with. But, some things will have to change. Although, boys love a "chill" Emma Stone, they also need to see themselves with them romantically. You can still play video games better than him, but he has to see himself giving you that game-winning kiss. You must be prepared to wait for his vision of you to shift. You've told him your feelings, and he might be in shock. Don't let this discourage you. Don't be embarrassed. That moment when he tells you he has the same feelings will feel even better with a dramatic pause.
Don't overthink it.
So he loves you and you love him? Don't hear the wedding bells just yet. The transition from best friend to dating is a delicate and slow process. Jumping into a romance too quickly jeopardizes a meaningful relationship and enters the dangerous "hook up" territory. Start with a date. Go to dinner, and let him pay (I know you're a strong, independent woman, but he is romancing you.) Ask him about his family, friends, and what he wants from life. You have the opportunity to experience a whole new side of him. Let your mind focus on him, before you and him.
It's not weird, unless you make it weird.
Your other friends will be happy for you two. Your mom might say "I told you so," but that's manageable. Let the relationship progress like any other. You'll discover new things in common. You don't know everything about him, and he doesn't know everything about you. You've entered an exciting and new dimension, that all previous connections enhance. It's not weird; it's probably imperfect and beautiful.
If it ends...
Sometimes it doesn't work out. Like any relationship, there are risks. When you sign up for dating your best friend, there's an extra risk in the relationship's outcome. You could lose a boyfriend and a best friend. Losing two nouns in one is the most difficult thing I've ever gone through. But sometimes it's about the ride, not the destination. The best friend/boyfriend combo platter is one of the best out there and the worst to lose. It will hurt differently than any other loss. But, like any relationship, you will learn, rebuild, and grow. Next time, maybe you'll do things differently. But, I hope you won't. Following your heart is never the safest idea, but always the best. Be open, move slow, and see what happens next.
