Hi, Anna! I've read your columns and I think you're excellent with advice. Funnily enough (or not!) I've had a something playing on my mind all night.

I've known this girl online for a few years now -- met her when we were very young teenagers and now we're going into young adulthood. We bonded a lot back then; she was te first person I ever came out to and she was wholly supportive, and she came out to me not long after. She's always cared about me and we had a fantastic friendship. I finally met her in person just a few months ago. I was extremely nervous since I'd had feelings for her for a long time beforehand. There have been signs that she may feel the same way; she's flirted with me in the past and was pretty touchy with me when we got to actually see each other in person, but there was an awkward, nervous-y air between us when we weren't around other people (wherein she was more confident). She keeps to herself for the most part and would be a little less outgoing than I, so that makes me believe if anyone is gonna make the first move, it'll be me. I wanted to wait until I met her in person to see if I felt the same way about her (we've video chatted and talked online a lot), and I very much did. But that was a given; I know what she looks like so I know I'm attracted-attracted, but her personality, her wit, and how much she cared for me won me over.

A few months have passed since I met her. I don't feel like our friendship is what it used to be, and I've felt like this even before I visited; part of me thinks it could be feelings (maybe on both sides or just mine) straining things, which I thought meeting up with her would resolve.

I've taken a few weeks to myself and she's contacted me a little; all in all we haven't spoken much. I still care about her deeply. I've needed a little distance to mull it over. I've thought about it for a long time and I feel like I'd like to tell her how I feel. Do you think this would be a good move? I'd like to get it off my chest, and I'd like to know how she feels about me, too. I have a gut feeling that's hard to ignore, and I've taken my sweet time because I'm scared I'm being irrational.

Thank you for reading my ramble, and I'll greatly appreciate any feedback! Bonus: what would be the best way to tell her?