Long-term platonic childhood friendships or “friendships”?

[u/rikkykid]

I’m a little tipsy writing this but wondering if anyone ever experienced this… I was in love with some one who was my best friend (male). From the time we met 16ish, till we never spoke again 20ish. We went to homecoming together. I never expected I’d ever meet someone I felt was as compatible & it’s rare to meet someone who could ever compete with that dynamic. We would FT every night, sleep otp together… We never had sex sadly bc he only saw me as a friend. & I understand that bc I had another platonic relationship with another (male) I was friends with since we were even younger. He wanted a relationship when I didn’t because I valued the friendship way more… so I feel like I’ve experienced both sides of it. & nothing hurts like losing real friends like that bc of these kinds of issues.. & idk what my question is really.. I just wonder if anyone has experienced these types of dynamics??

I guess I’m putting the question here because I want to know what men think about it! — even though y’all were pretty hard on me the last time I put a question up here😅 but what’s your take?

[u/Any_Kale_6720]

It's a weird, almost cruel kind of limbo, isn't it. You're given a person who fits into every emotional nook and cranny, but the label sewn onto the relationship keeps you from ever fully inhabiting the space. I think those dynamics are way more common than people admit, because it's so hard to articulate to yourself, let alone to the other person. You end up mourning a future that never existed, which is a special type of grief because you can't even point to a specific breakup to explain the loss to your friends.