Saying I love you is one of the most beautiful, exciting and excruciating moments in life. Saying those three little words can alter the course of many lives. They say it's best to friends first, to be best friends so that builds a foundation of trust. So why would it be so difficult to realize you love a friend and tell them? Probably because they may not respond in a similar fashion and that can make things awkward. But a large percentage of the time it's a risk worth taking. The proof is in the Reddit pudding....
Redditor u/SequelMcGee wanted everyone to tell us all.... What moment made you realize you had romantic feelings for your friend?
Oh Crap indeed!
GiphyWhen we were at work together and I suddenly realized how often I kept looking at him. There was something about the color of his shirt and the way he held himself. Then there was just the moment of 'oh crap.'
It took me 6 months from then to confess how wonderful I thought he was. We moved in together in July 😊 Jamlastsforages
What did you say?
"I love you" accidentally coming out of my mouth. I forgot what I was gonna say to him, but that came out instead. He was just like "what,"completely in shock. I tried to say that I said what I originally meant to say, but he knew it was BS. He was distant for like the next week or so. We eventually went out though, like a few months later. Stayed together for 1.5 years but eventually broke up over his commitment issues. Still miss him sometimes. yogagirl54
I'll Be There for You!
We met just over 8 years ago and we clicked instantly, like I had never related to or trusted someone so much immediately. He was married and going through a divorce, I had just broken up with the "love of my life" and we talked on the phone and texted nonstop (he lived across the state) we would hang out when he was in town for work, and we became drinking buddies. A year or so later his divorce was finalized, and we were best friends at this point. He was coming to town and we had plans to go to the bar like always.
I was riding my bike home from work one night. I worked late and I lived relatively close, so it was nice to save a little gas. I cut through a parking lot to get to the sidewalk because the sidewalks aren't lit and the parking lot was, and as I entered the parking lot I was hit by a car. I lost consciousness and was badly injured. I woke up in the ER and he was the first person I called to let him know what happened.
They released me the next day with a friend (concussion worry) and he showed up at my door an hour later. I couldn't walk, or raise my arms, my eye was swollen shut and I had stitches through my eyebrow (I now have nerve damage and facial paralysis in that area) he bathed me, cooked for me, fed me, did my laundry, washed my dishes, braided my hair, dressed me, took me to the doctors appointments and got my prescriptions all without me asking him to do any of that. We've been inseparable ever since. I moved across the state, we got married and are expecting our second child in the spring. He's the most caring, supportive, and kind man I've ever met. I'm a lucky woman. ladybarbarino
I just like him....
All of a sudden I cared what he thought. I desperately wanted to get every reference he made and impress him with my knowledge. I basically started studying his favorite films and games.
He was talking about going to see the new Star Wars film and even though I was never interested in films like that, I watched every film and the new one, just so I could talk about it with him.
We've now been together 3 years and I now genuinely like all the things he does, not just to impress him. chargrilledchaz
Great Minds....
GiphyI introduced him to a girlfriend of mine with the intention of setting them up. We went to the movies and she sat in the middle, and the whole time all I could think about was that I wish I was sitting beside him instead. Turns out he was thinking the same! Been married 2 years now :) hopfenn
Always there... :)
I was stuck in the hospital for about two weeks with an infected gallbladder and pancreas. He came EVERY SINGLE night to see me. Up to that point, we had only been briefly hanging out as friends. But the fact that he was so concerned about me that he took time out of his day, every day, to visit me made me realize that he was someone I wanted to be to very close to in my life. We've been dating for 7 years now. He's an amazing soul. sillybanana2012
Thunderstruck!
One day when I was unpacking after a long trip with our team, he called my name and I turned around. He was just casually standing there with a big smile on his face. Maybe it's because I was dazed from the travel exhaustion, but man. I suddenly was thunderstruck by how beautiful his smile is. I got flustered and forgot what I was doing for a moment and couldn't see him in the same way after that. AGoodDayforThrowaway
She's Not Me!
Happened once years ago. When he introduced us (the group of friends) to his girlfriend... I felt a sinking, crushing feeling... That's how I knew... niukbel086
Oh I know that sinking crushing feeling well! When I was still in love with an ex and naively hopeful we could get back together I felt that when he mentioned having a new girlfriend. tallulahblue
Moms Know.
My boyfriend at the time ditched me after he helped me move, saying he had better things to do. my friend helped me move so long into the night that he slept on the floor there, went to his lectures, and then came back and didn't leave until every bit of my maddeningly complicated ikea furniture was put together.
i called my mom that night and told her how it went down. she asked ''uhhhhh and why isn't Friend your boyfriend, again?'' i said wasn't sure if he felt the same way. she legitimately laughed at me and said i was stupid. i married him 4 months ago :) todayonbloopers
Everyone knew but me....
GiphyWhen I told our co worker that I wished I had the courage to tell my friend that lots of girls probably really like him and that he's great after he was getting down on himself. My co-worker immediately asked me if I liked him and I denied it but that's the moment I knew. We've been married a year now.
Such a wise co worker. He knew I liked my now husband before I did lol. snicknicky
Curious to hear exmples of these, Redditor Tannerman1 asked:
"What does America do better than most countries?"
North America provides everything in abundance.
It's A-maize-ing
"Turning corn into things that are not corn."
– Aeekio
"When you have this much corn, what else do you do with it?"
– Beautiful-Page3135
"Being from Illinois please do something with all this corn."
– LordofTheFlagon
Maritime Airbase
"Aircraft carriers."
– Tubbaaoo
"I think the stat is something like the US has half of all the large carriers in the world right now. I do know in WW2 by the end of 1944 or 45 they had more escort carriers in service than most countries had naval ships commissioned in the country's entire history."
– FLABANGED
The Great Outdoors
"National parks, we also have amazing state parks and local parks."
"Before anyone starts no you having woods too isn't the same thing."
– Dull-Geologist-8204
"I’m not sure the very idea of a National Park would be a thing if not for ol Teddy Roosevelt, and the United States making them the thing they are."
– NicksAunt
Americans are very social people that have no qualms reaching out to a stranger.
Sometimes, that's a real good thing.
"Chatting, I’m from a European country where most people will avoid talking to stranger. But you can literally talk to anyone you met in the street in the US and most of them are willing to talk."
– FloorSad3826
Forming A Bond
"People in many parts of the US do talk. I’m from the US and I’m kind of introvert, but I’ve actually have grown to love it as I’ve gotten older. I’m a white guy in a mostly black neighborhood and I f'king love going to the grocery store. We have this awesome little actual grocery store and everyone talks to me. It’s basically the friendliest place I’ve ever been."
"There’s an old dude who just starts spouting off with trivia questions to anyone who will listen. I responded with the answer to one and he was like, “How the f'k did you know the answer to that?'”
“I’m a biologist.”
"He and I are basically best friends now."
– sloppy_biography
Three Guys Walk Into A Bar...
"I have had this experience. The only people who would talk in pubs in London were an Irishman, a Lebanese fellow, and the Nepalese bartender. There’s a joke in there somewhere. They were super cool cats, too. Oh, and the guy I chatted with in a bar in Paris, also Lebanese. None of the locals would speak more than a few words."
"Americans? We’ll talk half an hour to a wrong number."
"Side note: Does anybody know if everyone in Lebanon actually knows everybody else? It has now happened twice that I’ve met people on different continents who knew each other’s siblings."
– Lemur-Tacos-768
The Germany Connection
"I met a chatty lady in Germany once and when I told her she was a friendliest person I’d met in Germany she said very quickly: 'Oh, I’m not from here, I’m from Sweden.' Then we both laughed loudly and got the side eye from the Germans."
– Syd_Vicious3375
When it comes to certain American activities, it's no contest.
Just To Be Frank
"Hot dog eating contests"
– First_Ad5835
"I was going to say that the champion of the Nathan’s Famous contest is Japanese, but I looked it up & Joey Chestnut is the current reigning champion."
– sagitta_luminus
Americans Are Globally Recognized Due To...
"Dominate media and pop culture around the world. Nobody else comes close to the US in this regard."
– DougyTwoScoops
Accommodating Everyone
"I haven't been in a lot of countries, but from my limited experience, it's the Americans With Disabilities Act."
"I have a lot of complaints about it, but I can still say that using public transportation doesn't require me to walk down or up 40 steps, with the alternative being walking . 3 miles to find an elevator that can fit one person at a time and moves so slowly it's barely usable."
– oneofyrfencegrls
What You Didn't Know
"Ironically enough science. The US has more Nobel Prize winners of all other countries combined. And here's the key thing: many of those researchers were immigrants, or at least didn't have family going back to the Mayflower."
"Also this will really sound ironic: tolerance for other cultures. The US is among the most diverse nations in the world. The most iconic American cultural icons are ultimately a mix of local and international traditions. Asiatic countries are super duper racists, but we call them 'xenophobic.'"
"Agriculture. The US is a behemoth when it comes to agriculture and agriscience. The biggest issues is cultivating for logistics instead of taste. Those yield however come with technologies other nations find repugnant and so ban American imports to protect domestic agriculture."
"Charity. Americans as a whole donate more to charities than any other nation, and on a per capita basis as well. Most Americans probably see ads or donation boxes on a daily basis."
– WiryCatchphrase
I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing but American establishments can dish out sizable portions of food for what dining patrons pay for.
Some entrees at restaurants are enough for sharing and ordering one main plate can be an economical option to allow room for a variety of other dishes–including dessert–without breaking the bank.
Go big, or go home, right?
"What's the best response to a Christian saying 'you're going to hell'?"
How Else Would They Know?
"'See you later!'"
"A skater boi dropped this one on holy rollers in college, the rest of us thought it was absolutely brilliant."- Ishidan01
"See you there then."- CuddleDemon04
He's Always Listening...
"It makes Jesus sad when you say that"- OperationBackground2
Can I You Show Me On A Map?
“'Where?'”
"Act like you’ve never heard of it—concede none of the authority or credibility they are used to having."
"'What do you mean, after I die—how can I go somewhere after I die, I’ll be dead?'"
"'My what?'"
"'Do you see these souls often, friend, is one in the room right now?'"- RidesThe7
Some People Have Heard Worse...
"Shrug, say 'Ok' , and walk away."
"You not caring riles them up even more."- ExRetribution
I See It Differently
"Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion man."- EnvironmentalPack451
Animation Disagree GIF by Moving Picture ShowGiphyWhen Was The Last Time You Actually Read A Bible?
"Judge not, that you be not judged."
"For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
"Matthew 7, 1-3."- Aas-im-Aermel
“'Live a good life'."
"'If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by'."
"'If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them'."
"'If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones'.― Marcus Aurelius."- Trygolds
"I thought God is the only judge of our soul?"
"Who are you to take his place?"
"It's better to attack them using their own teachings and beliefs that contradict their statement."- ZaiJianDada
Bible GIF by GlorifyAppGiphyTell Me Something I Don't Know...
"Aren't we all already here?"- YaMa-Ma
When The High Road Doesn't Seem To work...
"The Australian thing to say is "Get f*cked c*nt!"- IllTruck3645·
Give Them A Taste Of Their Own Medicine
"According to your God, so are you for doing his job and judging."- Reddit
Episode 5 Burn In Hell GIF by The SimpsonsGiphySay. Nothing...
"Stare at them blankly and don't hide your confusion."
"Don't say anything."
"Let them talk."
"They will keep talking, and the more they talk, the more uncomfortable they will make themselves."
"If they ask you any direct questions, don't answer them, just keep looking more and more puzzled."
"At the very most, shrug in total confusion."
"Do your best quizzical dog impression."
"They will give up and walk away, and regardless of how they try to seem outwardly, they will feel defeated, and question whether being an enormous a**hole is worth it."
"It may not last once they get back into their bubble of people who think that's a great way to act, but realistically, it's the only way to fight back."
"The minute you engage with them at all, you lose."
"Any comeback feeds into the victim complex inherently baked into Christianity."
"The only winning move is not to play."- PowermanFriendship
Will Ferrell Blank Stare GIFGiphyIt can be very easy to judge others.
But one can't help but stifle their laughter at those who judge others for not being as devoutly Christian as they are.
As they are all but literally going against the beliefs they are supposedly practicing.