Discovering Same-Sex Crushes and Coming to Terms with Being Gay

Growing up, both individuals had experiences with same-sex crushes, although they may not have fully understood them at the time. These crushes varied in intensity and ranged from seeking approval and admiration from older girls to feeling jealousy towards their boyfriends. As they got older, they began to recognize these feelings as more than just platonic, but at the time, questioned their own identities and whether it was a one-time exception. Eventually, they both entered relationships with girls they cared deeply for, which allowed them to explore their feelings and come to terms with their own sexuality.