How can I get my best friend to date me?
Hi. I have a dilemma that is quite common - I have strong feelings for my best friend. I'm a guy, she's a girl. We're both in our early 20s. She & I are very close friends. We have been for years. We get along perfectly well, and live on the same frequency: we see life & the world the same way, we have similar goals, etc.. We can talk to each about virtually anything. We have complete trust toward one another. Sometimes we stay up talking til dawn. Etc... People often think we're a couple, but we're not...which is what I want to change.
I haven't told her exactly what I want yet, but in the past we have had indirect hypothetical conversations about it. Here are the pluses I see here: never in our hypothetical convos has she ever said anything along the lines of "it would never happen to us." She has in fact agreed with me once that she and I are compatible and would be a good couple. She's told me that a few of the guy's she has liked before were in some ways like me. We have kissed a few times before, though just in a minor friendly way. And we have also spent much time together on 1-on-1 "dates" (dinners, movies, etc..), where we always both have a wonderful time together. Sometimes I catch her smiling at me in what seems to be an unusual way (unless it's my imagination).
Now here is the downside: while she knows deep down that I represent what she wants, and she herself has said we'd probably be good together, she doesn't realize that what she wants is right in front of her. Because of how long we've known each other, she sees me as a brother figure. This what I want to change.
Before I tell her eventually what I want to try, I want to spend some time trying to change her image of me a bit. I know that she and I would be wonderful together, and all that's missing is a spark, that makes her see me in a different light, like I have with her. I don't know how to ignite such a spark though.
I would appreciate any insight, particularly from women. Thanks!