The other end of a crush....
I have no trouble admitting I'm a romantic and even as an adult I have pretty regular crushes because of that. But, as an adult, I was pretty satisfied just to admire the "scenery" rather than chase a pipe dream that might only ruin a good, healthy fantasy.
One of my professors this past semester was beyond adorable; in appearance and mannerisms. I think half that class developed a well-deserved crush on the guy. And because, well, I have eyes, I was among them.
Somewhere in April he discovered I was helping out at the local film fest and he asked me after class about it. The conversation went from the film festival to about 92 different subjects; it turns out we had a lot in common and we both had a really good time chatting for about 45 minutes. I won't lie, I was thrilled, but I don't think I really expected much to develop from it. He's a personable guy and, as an instructor, easily approachable.
We stayed in contact through e-mail as the semester ended, though, and he told me he wanted to continue the conversation because he had such a good time. When grades were turned in, our e-mails got more personal and I've had a really good time getting to know him as a person. We both want to get together for coffee but for various reasons it hasn't happened yet. Still, e-mails are going back and forth on a consistent basis and I'm enjoying the communication a lot.
I'm attracted to him, obviously - it used to just be a silly, superficial crush but now it's developed into more. But I'm not in any hurry to be in a relationship and I really enjoy talking to him. I would love to keep a friendship going, even if nothing else develops.
My issue comes in the fact that I have 4 months of silly "crush time" built up that won't exactly disappear. I'm afraid I'll ruin a good friendship with silly, little-girl expectations that are still left over from the crush.
Is there is any way I can shake the "crush" label from him and just get to know him as "him"?
One of my professors this past semester was beyond adorable; in appearance and mannerisms. I think half that class developed a well-deserved crush on the guy. And because, well, I have eyes, I was among them.
Somewhere in April he discovered I was helping out at the local film fest and he asked me after class about it. The conversation went from the film festival to about 92 different subjects; it turns out we had a lot in common and we both had a really good time chatting for about 45 minutes. I won't lie, I was thrilled, but I don't think I really expected much to develop from it. He's a personable guy and, as an instructor, easily approachable.
We stayed in contact through e-mail as the semester ended, though, and he told me he wanted to continue the conversation because he had such a good time. When grades were turned in, our e-mails got more personal and I've had a really good time getting to know him as a person. We both want to get together for coffee but for various reasons it hasn't happened yet. Still, e-mails are going back and forth on a consistent basis and I'm enjoying the communication a lot.
I'm attracted to him, obviously - it used to just be a silly, superficial crush but now it's developed into more. But I'm not in any hurry to be in a relationship and I really enjoy talking to him. I would love to keep a friendship going, even if nothing else develops.
My issue comes in the fact that I have 4 months of silly "crush time" built up that won't exactly disappear. I'm afraid I'll ruin a good friendship with silly, little-girl expectations that are still left over from the crush.
Is there is any way I can shake the "crush" label from him and just get to know him as "him"?