Am I infatuated?

[Anonymous]

I have been friends with a guy for over 1 year, I'm very thankful for our friendship and I couldn't ask for anything more. We've supported each other through our ups and downs, and Have comforted each other in times when we were in sorrow. Though I must admit, I have grown to Love him through the experiences and everything that we've been through. Now I don't know what type of Love this is, but I guess if I could put it into words, I just wish him to be safe, and well. I would want what's best for him, and for him to be happy. He's literally an imperfect guy, he has flaws, he's persistent, confusing and sometimes he exaggerate things but weirdly enough I still care about him even though I've seen the worst of him. We don't talk that much anymore, we've grown apart and I feel sad about it but I know that I'll always be forever grateful that we met. My friends always wonder why I'm always willing to be there for him. I guess I wanted to ask if I'm infatuated because my friends started calling it that way. Is it really true though?

[OlderAndWiser]

"Though I must admit, I have grown to Love him through the experiences and everything that we've been through." Yes, that is the usual way in which love grows: shared experiences and becoming more familiar with each other.

"I just wish him to be safe, and well. I would want what's best for him, and for him to be happy." That is common in platonic love but it is also common in romantic love that is not complicated by possessiveness.

"He's literally an imperfect guy, he has flaws, he's persistent, confusing and sometimes he exaggerate things" We are all flawed, both men and women. Part of maturing in relationships is understanding that there is no perfect partner.

"weirdly enough I still care about him even though I've seen the worst of him." Yes, that's love. But the question is still: platonic or romantic? So. . .

Do you think of him and have a desire that you spend the rest of your lives together? Do you think about him as the father of your future children? Do you feel a sexual attraction to him? Do you feel better just being near him? Do you want to be The One who makes him happy?

[BadApple69]

I personally believe it’s love. Not “in love” but love. Nothing wrong with that. Infatuation is “short lived” what you feel doesn’t seem to be that short. If he really is that good of a friend (even with his flaws) don’t let him go. Good friends are hard to come by.