Dear Miss Emily:

So I have this girl in my life and we've been friends for about 2 years. We're also best friends. Now she loves me and I love her, but she's afraid that if she and I get together it would break our friendship. Here's what she said. "I definitely would love to be in a relationship with you, but I just cant afford to lose you."

---------------------------Miss Emily's advice-------------------------

I pretty much give the same advice when I get this type of letter: Go for it! Life is full of risks, but this move would be less risky because you two have a wonderful friendship and that's a good foundation for any advancement in your relationship. Now, say it didn't work out. If you keep an open communication, you should be able to survive any unforeseen trouble. It's not a hard-and-fast rule that people who break-up end up hating each other. As well, if another girl came into your life, there's a good possibility you would not be spending as much time with your her. It would be with your new girl, and that could alter the friendship, anyway.  I know you're for it, but I guess it's all up to her no matter how you feel about it.