I have changed, now I love someone, but it sucks.

[equestrian]

I used to date mostly for a couple of (retrospectively) shallow reasons:
- Social Gain.
- Attractiveness and Sex.

It's not that I didn't like the girls (I'm still good friends with many of them). I just didn't feel any sort of deep emotional connection with them.

About a year ago I started changing. All of a sudden I started thinking more romantically. Not just romantically, but I started valuing things like children and family more. Even just people in general. I became an EMT and started volunteering for my local rescue squad. Then I found a girl...

I've been taking horse riding lessons. There is a girl who helps out at the barn. She teaches me stuff about horses. I love her. :wub: I think about her frequently. We haven't dated yet because I'm a wuss. This time it's different. She's not super popular from what I can tell, so social gain isn't a factor. She's beautiful, but she doesn't have the biggest... features ;). Sex (though it would be nice) isn't important at all.

Now... all these mushy gushy feelings are great and all, but they also kinda suck. I only get to see her once per week and the other six days I get sad. I don't even know if she likes me. She talks to me about stuff and shares her gummy bears (lol). I'm super awkward around her. I wish I could just tell her, but I'm scared.

[Living For Love]

Well, first of all, it was good that you've changed. Liking girls only because of sex and social status doesn't seem really good to me. I think you just need to keep talking with her, get to know eachother better, perhaps impress her with your horse riding skills. And then, when you two are comfortable enough with eachother, just ask her out like "Do you want to have lunch with me?" or something, after the lessons.

[othees]

Yeah, just keep talking and take steps if you feel it's the right time.

[equestrian]

I really want to be with her so much.

[jesusogpaign]

Well, it's awesome that you've gotten past that initial step that a lot of people have in their dating lives, which is dating for slightly more shallow reasons. Now that you've found someone you feel deeply about, summon up the courage you've used in the past that you used to ask out those other girls, and ask this girl out with that same confidence.

[Berad]

Most guys go through this, you're just maturing and growing up. Don't jump to dramatics though, you don't necessarily know her well enough to truly love her. Not saying you don't have strong feelings for her, just that you might be jumping the gun a little.
Perhaps you can add her on social media, or get her number so that you can talk to her more regularly than the once a week. Ask her out on a casual date or two (nothing serious). Then go from there, if things are going well - you can talk about both of your feelings for each other and if the feelings are mutual, ask her out (in person)!