Got it. You’ve been friends with this young woman since you were both 12 and now you’re 19 and you want to get out of the friend zone without losing the friendship you have with her. The reality is that things change. Life changes. And it’s very difficult to have both things — her as a romantic interest and her as a friend. They conflict. A friend isn’t someone you want to date and kiss — and a romantic interest isn’t someone who’s going to be excited for you when you have a great date with someone else because there’s romance between the two of you. I think that at this point in your life, you have to realize your feelings for her have changed and the friendship has blossomed into something else. I also think there’s a good chance she feels the same way about you. My advice is to tell her you’d like to take her out on a date and that you really value her and don’t want to lose this opportunity to get to know her as a girlfriend, not a friend anymore. Big step — I know, but if you don’t take it, it’s going to turn into a regret. 😕
