Last night my friend's sister (who I've been good friends with for almost as long) came to my house for some drinks and to talk one-on-one for old times' sake. She's a very pretty girl, great personality, and when you're hanging out with her it's easy to forget she's not one of the guys. She's just that cool.

Well, she mentioned that when she was a Freshman (and I was a Sophomore) that she kind of had a thing for me, and I told her I'd had a thing for her too.

Then she said something that actually made the tension disappear.
She said she thinks of me as a big brother.

And right then and there, our friendship grew past the stage of emotional insecurity.
I knew that her drawing that parallel for our friendship meant we would never be going out, that we would never kiss, and that sex was definitely out of the question...
...and it felt good, because what she had offered me was the ultimate token of appreciation --- she let me know she wanted me in her heart, closer than any boyfriend could get. Family.

So I got to thinking, if you're close friends with somebody who wants to be with you, but you know it won't work out because you're on a different page as them, draw the sibling parallel. The relationship can't progress to the dating stage after that (who could date a brother/sister figure?), and it isn't even like you're letting them down because you're actually raising them up.

I hope this advice helps somebody out there; it feels good to know that in the future if I ever find myself in a situation where I have to turn somebody down, I can give them something even more meaningful without breaking their heart.

Peace and love, totse :D

That's what i exactly told a chick who was after me. "I see you as a sister, i love you soo much".
It doesnt break anyones heart and its a better excuse than saying your gay

That's a very old excuse women use..."...I love you like a brother though."

I guess it could work for guys...I guess.