Posted by 
If there’s something I’m an expert in, it’s unrequited love.
Yes, I’ve been with my husband for over ten years, but before that? I’ve suffered through years of heartbreak.
It started when I was a teenager and in some ways, it never really ended.
Teenage Troubles
In the third class of high school, I was in love with a classmate. And it remained that way all those years in high school. The objects of my affection changed, but not that I was pining away, feeling continually rejected.
There was one boy I was in love with, and it was incredibly intense. From thinking about him all the time to replaying all the nice things he ever said to me. Regular nice things, you’d say to a classmate, nothing more.
I often look back at those days and wonder why I put myself through these hardships. Cause I suffered from them tremendously.
And what’s worse: this boy wouldn’t have been a right partner for me. We had absolutely nothing in common, apart from a similar taste in music. He was very much into sports, something I have no affinity with whatsoever. So we would never have made a good couple. And yet I pined and pined and pined.
Rock Star Fantasies
In essence, my rock star flings are the same. I know a rock star who has access to the prettiest groupies around will never pick me for a one-night-stand. I know I wouldn’t. And no, not for a long-term relationship either. The irregular and crazy lives they lead would drive me mad in no time.
But these flings are different from my teenage ones. I know it’s not gonna happen, but they’re a great source of inspiration for dreams and stories. And my husband like my rock star flings too since I’m more sexually minded during those times.
Clearing the Way
Speaking of my husband, I met him because someone else turned me down a week before we first chatted. I had sent an e-mail asking a friend of mine if he’d want to be romantically involved with me. He turned me down via e-mail, saying he admired my courage, but no, he wasn’t interested. And because he turned me down, I continued my search and met my now-husband a week later. So it doesn’t always have to end badly.
So Much Drama
Thinking back to my teenage years, I remember all the drama vividly. I’ve spilt so many tears. I don’t know why I did this, why I tortured myself thus. I’m only happy I came out well on the other side. I don’t think it was necessary. I could have gone without this pain, my life was troubled enough already. But hey, teenage hormones, what can I say?
Unrequited love is such a painful thing at the time! <3
Oh yes, it was definitely painful. I’m glad I got out of it ☺️
I think we all tortured ourselves during those teenage years, having crushes on people who wouldn’t have been a good match. Still, I think those crushes were necessary, as in a way it taught us something about ourselves. But the pain it caused was real.
~ Marie
Yes, I suppose it was necessary in a way. The last boy I was in love with during high school was a way better match than the first one, so I did make some progress at least ?
The thing is the unrequited are that for a reason – like you say they probably would not have been compatible partners – as i said to Jenna i think often we get what we need – not what we think we want – and that’s good xx
I like that thought, May. I think we often get what we need, not what we think we want.
It’s so good that we all (well, maybe not all) eventually outgrow our teenage hormones. Glad you are now where you are. xoxo
Oh definitely. Sometimes you read ‘would you want to wake up tomorrow as a 14 yr old?’ And all I can think is: Oh no, the mood swings, the drama. Please no!
I wish I had the self confidence as a teenager that I have now. But then again I would probably have gotten into so much trouble.
I wish I would have acted more on my crushes but then again I like where I have ended up.
The alternative universe where that man lives is not for me.
Part of the stages of life I guess.
You’re right.
I definitely could have done with more confidence as a teenager. Instead, I would look up to my friends and wonder why they got all the attention.
And like you, I don’t think I would enjoy the parallel universe where that version of me lives.
They were indeed lessons I had to learn.