Argh fr

[Seeted]

I'm in my early 40s, single, 3 kids. I look and feel like a mess, juggling work , kids and life and just about have my shit together. A relationship is not even in my head.

I met someone when on holiday a few years back and we became good friends. Not dating or anything like that. We have similar sense of humour and just get on well. It was a bit random making a friend on holiday I guess.

A couple of weeks ago he blurted out that he was in love with me. I didn't know what to make of it as it completely came out of the blue. I just sort of laughed and said don't be silly , what on earth are you talking about. He began to tell me how he was feeling when he was interrupted with several calls from his brother so he finally answered and needed to rush off due to an emergency.

Because of this, the conversation never quite finished and I don't really know what to do. To make things awkward, it's not something that's now appropriate to discuss as his father was taken into hospital (the emergency) and he is busy with that. I want to be there for him during what will be a pretty rough time. He's pretty upset and he knows I'm here for him if he needs anything.

However, in the meantime, I've had time to think this through and I don't know if I messed it up by dismissing him about his feelings. I would like to start something with him but there'd be alot to discuss and it's a bit complicated. I obviously won't bring it up at the moment but I'm scared I've messed up and he's gone away thinking it's a rejection from me.

What would you do?.

Sorry! I have no idea where the rest of my title has gone! Was meant to be "Argh friend confessed his feelings but I think I've messed up!"

I think you could make sure you're supportive and kind to him as a friend during the crisis with his dad and over Christmas first of all. But along with an acknowledgement and subtle expression of interest- maybe a message or a Christmas card even that says something like "let's continue talking about us in the New Year" or "let's take a break together just the two of us in the new year, can't wait to spend time with you". So he knows you noticed and remembered the conversation, you're interested and you want to pick it back up after the busy time and crisis are over?

OR be loads more direct and just tell him you're into him!

First post is spot on. Be there for him now but you can also allude to your feelings without it needing to be a full on declaration. A simple text telling him your there for him now if he needs your support and when hew able to catch up you'd really love to finish that conversation about you both as you'd feel the same. I'd be kind of direct too as not saying anything or skirting about it he might think you aren't interested

Just reach out and say for the last few years you've been busy doing life and haven't thought about relationships so it came as a shock that anyone could think about you in those terms... not necessarily an unpleasant shock just out of the blue. You didn't finish your conversation and in the time between you've had time to do some thinking.