Just being friends

Hi guys

I'm a situation where I've really fallen for a girl who is over 6 years younger than me. I know that she has romantic feelings towards me and she knows that I am very attracted to her. The problem is that she is uncomfortable with the age difference - she's 18 and I'm in my mid-20's. She was afraid to tell her parents about us and was generally uncomfortable - yet she still wanted to see me, romantically or otherwise. However, now she has given me the "let's just be friends" line, which is OK with me but I can't help but feel very heartbroken. She still honestly enjoys being with me (platonically) and she still talks to me online.

I want to be her friend, but I've heard from a mutual friend (who was quite supportive of our relationship) that she generally doesn't like boys her age and prefers the company of older guys and her mom even agreed that 10 years would be the age limit, which I fall within. Should I bring this up?

Anyway, it's hard to just be friends, especially when you have unexpressed feelings and longings. I plan to just wait and be her friend and let her come around in her own time. We've known each other for a few months, but the romantic inclinations have only come out within the past 2-3 weeks, so there's plenty of time to wait.

Any advice or thoughts?

Thanks
Dave

I would take her at her word and give up any false hopes of anything more, Dave. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but she's been honest and to think she means anything other than what she said is just setting yourself up for pain!

She's not comfortable with the age gap and just wants to be friends. Take her at her word and find romantic interests elsewhere.

Get on out there and surf the ocean for someone who DOES want you. I seriously doubt it will be that difficult... ;)
~phos

Thanks for the reply fos4snt.

I think you're right - I certainly have taken her at her word and I believe that she just isn't interested in me as a boyfriend right now. Even though I have romantic feelings for her, I don't think that I would be wise to pursue them with her. If anything, it would probably just freak her out and end any hopes of friendship, let alone romance.

Basically, I've given up on the romantic part of the relationship and just want to be her friend, which is precious in and of itself.


Dave