Crush vs. Love: Beyond the Butterflies

I remember the first time I had a crush. My heart skipped like a 100 meter runner bursting off the starting line when I saw him. I pictured us walking hand in hand. It felt like an evening stroll in the gardens: serene, tender, and full of possibility. It was exciting.

I smiled for no reason and kept looking his way. When he asked for my number, I gave it to him. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking about what might happen next. Again and again, I glanced at my phone, longing for his call or message. Sometimes I wished he’d never leave my sight.

Maybe it was his voice in choir practice that drew me in. Watching him sing or lead, I wished every day could be like choir practice. The feeling was overwhelming; pure joy.

It’s normal to feel a crush, but don’t rush to call it love or rush into intimacy. Excitement fades; love takes time. Give yourself space to see if the feeling lasts.

Sometimes a crush is just imagination. I once liked a classmate because he was funny, but when I got to know him, I realized he wasn’t kind or responsible. The feelings faded: they were built on surface impressions, not truth.

Love is different. It’s more than butterflies or daydreams. It runs deeper. Love is revealed when you’ve seen someone in stress, joy, or struggle, and still admire their patience. You choose them again and again. That’s love. It grows with time, stays steady, and is built on trust and shared moments.

Think of it this way:

A crush is like seeing a beautiful house from the outside and imagining how perfect it must be inside.

Love is like building a life, mending what breaks, and staying because it feels like home.

A crush is the spark that makes your heart race. It comes and goes.

Principle to Keep

Don’t confuse a crush with love. A crush thrills, but only love stands the test.

Diary Wisdom

Guard your heart. Words fade, but actions endure. The right person stands with you in every season.” — MamaFem