Unexpected crush on old school friend 🙈🫣

[Calmvibes33]

So an old acquaintance has recently reached out to me through social media. They are someone I knew and got on with a school (over 15 years ago!) but they were never a romantic partner or anything back then just a friend. I wouldn’t ever have considered before that they were a potential love interest but always had a soft spot for them but more friendly than romantic.
Well we have been chatting a bit & I just feel a bit surprised that I have a completely unexpected massive crush on them 😳
I was previously in an 8 year relationship until last year so haven’t felt this way about someone new in so long. It’s nice to feel the feels for someone new but it’s just very unexpected!
We have discussed meeting but due to work commitments (my side - I’ll be away from home) we won’t be able to meet for a month! 😒 So I guess I’ll just have to see how the chat develops & hopefully the meet up will happen when it can.
I just feel a bit like a teenager, I’m totally obsessing on my crush & struggling to keep it cool!!
Has anyone ever found a happy relationship with someone unexpected from their past? And how do I try and keep it cool as a grown adult , when crushing on someone like a teen 🙈

That sounds nice op.

But I would suggest 'it's been lovely catching up, I will give you a shout when I'm back in the area, looking forwards to it x'.

Not continuing to talk in the mean time.

Because its never wise to form a bond with someone before you know if there's a spark in person. It's setting yourself up for awkwardness.

Treat it the same way thats advised for online dating by many on here. Never talk for more than a week or so before meeting.

I get that heady crushes are nice. But he'll still be there when you're back. And when you meet him you can assess if the spark is still there.

That sounds really positive op. I have a slightly different opinion from a pp and would continue talking to him. I would try flirt a bit more and see how it goes.
Doesn’t need to be constant daily chat but checks in etc and hopefully he starts a lot of the conversations with you.

If you eventually meet and there’s no real spark then there’s no real loss as it was a crush but I do hope it works out for you!

Why are they a 'he'?

I picked up OP has purposefully not stated either their or the friend's gender.

Hello, thanks for your advice all. It is helpful - I think I need to just take it slow and not over think my crush.

my ex was awful by the end of our relationship so although I’ve been over him for a while and have no romantic feelings for him, I’ve struggled to accept moving on a bit since we were together so long & I’ve vowed to stay single , which is why I think the excitement of this new crush has taken me a bit by surprise. But I think I’ll just enjoy this new connection and try not to overthink what it is/ what it could become!

@LeSoleil they are a he and I am a she and we are both straight so definite possibility of a romantic connection but you are right I didn’t make that clear, no real reason why I didn’t mention this in my OP, just how I wrote it, sorry that was unclear.😊

Sounds exciting. GL

Useful to know. In my experience, women make choices while men make themselves available.

My advice is don’t rush. The slowest growing trees are generally stronger and last longer.

Oh no, the gender police have arrived. 🙄

Just be careful of any kind of love bombing etc op. Unfortunately many people come out of nasty relationships and get supper attached to the next seemingly really nice guy, realy fast. Because he seems so different to the emotionally cold ex. But then it turns out he is the same thing...just in the love bombing stage.

More reason to maybe pull back a bit.
He sounds lovely but don't rush anything. Be sure to do any work you can on how to spot abuse or players (or whatever was going on with your ex) in the early stages of dating. Red flags in general.

Take things slow, whirlwinds are nit usually healthy.

Crushes are great though, I get it xD
Just don't let it cause you to ignore instincts or let him bulldoze boundaries.

And I know the inclination is to keep texting during this time bit you've actually got the perfect opportunity to see if he respects boundaries right now by telling him you'll see him when you're back and seeing if he wants patiently till then. Not saying he couldn't still drop the odd quick meme in the mean time still but if you say 'I'll see you when I'm back' in a way that indicates you want to put a pin in things tull then and he keeps texting constantly...you'll know he isn't respectful of boundaries.

Enjoy it and see how it goes. There's nothing wrong with liking someone. But remember neither of you are the same people you were at school 15 years ago.