Hello I'm 24 and have a really good friendship with a guy who is just turning 18 this month. We have been close family friends for ages and our families always joke that when he's a bit older we'll get married. Well recently we developed feelings for each other and the only thing holding us back is a fear that people will say I'm using him or that I'm stealing his youth or whatever.

We're not that different because I'm not settled in a career yet or ready for a family and we're christians so this 'crush' isn't sexually motivated or just something casual.
The last thing I'd want is our families to fall out over this or for it to affect my career (I'm training to be a teacher).

What do you think, should we wait a couple years, just break things off or follow our hearts? If you were his mum what would you think?

If I were his mom I would be wondering what a 24 year old woman sees in a 17 year old. At his age he would develop feeling for an older female easily. What position have you two been in where that would even happen? What about this 17 year old draws you?

Familiarity can be attractive, and friendships can be deep, and that's okay, as long as you keep it real, and respectful. Only the two of you can define what you are doing, and family and friends can only opine their personal views.

It's a fine balance to do your own thing, and be respectful of others, and yourselves, so just stay on a good path, and well within the lines of good behavior, as you explore, and experiment, AND live your own life.

What I tell my son, AND daughter is follow your heart, but listen to your BRAIN first. Good Orderly Direction generally leads to the best path. Talk it over between you, and decide what you BOTH want to do.