a friend and i were chatting today about friendship and love. the question i posed to her: is it possible for a man and a woman to become friends without either one at some time having a crush on the other? i tried to make an argument that it is possible. but lately i wonder. i don't think it is. after all, the qualities that may draw you to that person as a friend are the same qualities you may be looking for in a lover.

that's a funny word "lover". it has such an emotional attachment. i could say "boyfriend or girlfriend" but that connotes a more superficial and high schoolish relationship. i could even say "significant other" but what's that? it's like you're afraid of letting the world know you like that person. "husband and wife" just sounds boring and settled. "love interest" seems like something scholarly and "man or woman" is way too possessive. but "lover", well that means something deep. i think it's about commitment with excitement. it acknowledges the importance of that person in both their emotional and physical presence in your relationship. it's more personal. more sweet and loving. i think it's just deeper.