Through crazy, random twists of fate, I recently reconnected and met up with the boy I met and fell so hard for in sixth grade. I had a crush on him for years, and still felt butterflies when I saw him maybe 3-5 times after he graduated high school. Now, we're in our almost mid-20s, and he's temporarily moved back to my town after the pandemic derailed his career plans. I hit him up when I realized he was back, and we started catching up. It might sound lame, but I made a post about needing help with something on Snapchat, hoping he would happen to offer. To my surprise, he did. We've hung out several times since then.

We got very open with each other. It turns out that he was attracted to me way back when, thought I was a badass, funny, cool. I'd always felt like he was out of my league, and he felt the same way. I'd even told him that I liked him a few times when we were teenagers, but he'd apparently shut me down because he didn't want a relationship at the time and didn't really know what he was doing. We've both pretty much felt the same way about each other now as we did back then. When we first started talking again, we were unsure of how to approach things, especially since I initially thought he only ever thought of me as just another friend.

Then, a week or two ago, we kissed. And last night, we cuddled on the couch while watching a show that we both love, and I felt so amazingly content. When we kissed again, it felt so electric. It feels just like when I was 14, when I cared deeply and freely, before the toxic, sometimes abusive relationships. No one has ever made me feel like he does, where my heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest. He kept telling me that he wants to make me happy, and I could feel that he really meant it. I still get so nervous and shy, and he wants me to be able to break out of my shell with him. He knows it won't happen immediately, and he's been so patient about it, while also helping me step out of my comfort zone.

People that I've told have asked what our status is, but honestly, he and I have enjoyed the pace we've been taking. He doesn't want to be here forever, but neither do I. We don't know what'll happen, and right now, we're happy nonetheless. I think we've both waited so long to connect like this, I know I have. I'm excited simply to have the chance to be getting to know him on this level. We're even going on our first official date this week, I couldn't be happier. That's all that matters.