I've known him since middle school. We were really good friends, and I realized I had feelings for him in the 9th grade. Past relationships prevented us from dating/hooking up, but there was a drunk slip-up once at the very end of senior year (but nothing more than a few smooches were exchanged).

He enlisted in the military right after graduation. I tried out for the same branch, because I lacked direction after school and he encouraged me to do it. I ended up going to basic training a few weeks after him. (While I was marching through base I would look for him with every free second I had. I had always hoped to catch a glimpse of him, but never did.) 

Although I tried very hard to do my best, boot camp got the best of me and I was sent home for a preexisting medical issue. I was crushed at first, but now I realize I never even wanted the job in the first place, I just wanted to be near him.

And fast-forward to today, he's halfway around the world. He's moving back to the states, though. He won't be home until the fall, but we talk very often so at least I'll have that to hold me over. I don't even know what I would expect from a relationship with him if it were to happen--it would probably be long distance, but I'm okay with that.

But I need to do *something*, I can't hold this secret in any longer. My feelings are repressed to the point where I have vivid dreams with him in them. I've spent years telling myself to get over a childhood crush, but my feelings have never changed. I know everyone says this, but I have never felt the same way about anyone else before. Even with past relationships, he has always been in the back of my mind...oh boy, I feel like I'm in high school again.

So, what should I tell him? Do I wait for him to come home to have this discussion? Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
user
I have a childhood crush, and it's only getting stronger
assistant
I've known him since middle school. We were really good friends, and I realized I had feelings for him in the 9th grade. Past relationships prevented us from dating/hooking up, but there was a drunk slip-up once at the very end of senior year (but nothing more than a few smooches were exchanged).

He enlisted in the military right after graduation. I tried out for the same branch, because I lacked direction after school and he encouraged me to do it. I ended up going to basic training a few weeks after him. (While I was marching through base I would look for him with every free second I had. I had always hoped to catch a glimpse of him, but never did.) 

Although I tried very hard to do my best, boot camp got the best of me and I was sent home for a preexisting medical issue. I was crushed at first, but now I realize I never even wanted the job in the first place, I just wanted to be near him.

And fast-forward to today, he's halfway around the world. He's moving back to the states, though. He won't be home until the fall, but we talk very often so at least I'll have that to hold me over. I don't even know what I would expect from a relationship with him if it were to happen--it would probably be long distance, but I'm okay with that.

But I need to do *something*, I can't hold this secret in any longer. My feelings are repressed to the point where I have vivid dreams with him in them. I've spent years telling myself to get over a childhood crush, but my feelings have never changed. I know everyone says this, but I have never felt the same way about anyone else before. Even with past relationships, he has always been in the back of my mind...oh boy, I feel like I'm in high school again.

So, what should I tell him? Do I wait for him to come home to have this discussion? Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
user
I'm in love with my childhood friend, even though we're
assistant