I've fallen in love with someone that I think I shouldn't be with.
I'm 18M, and for about the past year I've had feelings for one of my teachers (technically a former teacher now). She's around 55, and I know it sounds weird, but I genuinely can't stop thinking about her.
She started teaching me when I was 16. At first I didn't really think much of her, but over time I grew really attached to her. I always did well in her class even though the subject itself was difficult and honestly pretty boring. She was always kind to me, patient, and sweet, which I know is normal for a teacher, but somehow I ended up developing feelings anyway.
I still remember a lot of our small interactions because they meant way more to me than they probably should have. For the past year I've spent a lot of nights thinking about her even though I know realistically nothing could ever happen between us.
I never told anyone because I knew people would think it was strange. Eventually I told one of my friends because I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. I was literally nervous and shaking while telling him. He mostly just made fun of me and told me to get over it, which honestly didn't help at all.
Now school is almost over and there are only about two weeks left before I probably never see her again. Part of me wants to confess my feelings just so she knows, but another part of me feels like that would be selfish or inappropriate. I know she likely has her own life and possibly a husband, and I'm over here feeling attached to someone I probably never had a chance with.
I don't really know what to do. I guess I just needed to finally say this somewhere; thank you for your time.