If the crush is persisting for years it’s not a healthy friendship. Sure, crushing for a few months then fading, great, you can be friends. But if it’s been years and you’re still holding a flame, clearly proximity to this person is keeping you from getting over the crush.
Friendship is not one person secretly being in love with the other.
Or you could just learn to be OK with being friends.
If the crush is persisting for years it’s not a healthy friendship. Sure, crushing for a few months then fading, great, you can be friends. But if it’s been years and you’re still holding a flame, clearly proximity to this person is keeping you from getting over the crush.
Friendship is not one person secretly being in love with the other.
Yeah very much a “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” situation.