Write an article based on this "Wait for an appropriate opportunity. Test the waters with subtle flirting. Don't arrange a "date" yet. Bring your friend somewhere semi-private when you want to tell her. Take a deep breath before you "dive in."

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When you tell your best friend you love her, you want to do as much as you can to make her calm and comfortable. Pick a time and a place where neither of you will have other big emotional stresses to worry about. It's difficult for anyone to make smart decisions about romantic issues when they're already under pressure from something else. A few examples of things that can make for a less-than-great environment to talk about your feelings with her include: She has something important coming up that she needs to focus on (like a big exam or a role in a play). She has just gotten out of a major relationship (or is still in one this is a definite no-go). She is going through a difficult period in her life (trouble at work or school, family issues, etc.). An example of a good time and place to bring your feelings up is when you're enjoying a comfortable, casual one-on-one hangout on the weekend. Dropping delicate hints about your intentions is a good way to judge your chances of success without putting your friendship at too much of a risk. If she responds to your gentle flirting lukewarmly or seems to feel uncomfortable, you'll know to back off. See our article on flirting for great step-by-step instructions. A few basic tips you may want to keep in mind can be found below: Use affectionate body language. Maintain good eye contact and smile. Touch her arm or shoulder when she makes you laugh. Gently tease her for minor slip-ups. For best results, have a good sense of humor about it and make it obvious that you're kidding. Try to one or two weave compliments into the conversation. If you can do it while also gently teasing her, all the better. Keep things lighthearted and don't come on too strong. You may risk tipping your hand too early or even creeping her out. Dating is something you do after you establish a romantic connection with someone not before. Treating your best friend to a nice candlelit dinner may seem like a nice thing to do, but it can be confusing for her if she doesn't catch on to what you're trying to do (or awkward if she does). Save the presents and formal dinners for later. Your best bet for now is to arrange a much more casual hang-out session. In addition, you'll be spending money (maybe even quite a bit of it) on something that may turn out poorly for you. If you save your money, you can always take someone else on a date if your best friend doesn't have romantic feelings for you. There's almost no way to have this conversation without both of you having strong emotions, so give her the courtesy of a little privacy. You don't have to be completely isolated for this, but it should be someplace comfortable where your conversation won't be overheard and you won't be interrupted. An example of a good place to have this conversation is a bench in a park far away from other people. You'll be comfortable, it will unlikely for other people to interfere, and, best of all, you'll have a romantic view. Whatever you do, don't make a big public spectacle. Remember that there's a significant chance she'll say "no" in this case, attracting a crowd will be very embarrassing for both of you. " When you're with your best friend somewhere private and comfortable, you have one final chance to back out. If you're still ready to go through with things, it's time to tell her what's been on your mind. Do your best to stay relaxed while you open up to your friend. Remember it'll all be over soon, and even if things don't go your way, you'll at least have peace of mind. It's only natural to get some butterflies (and many girls will find a little nervousness cute), but being so nervous that you can barely get your words out will make things a lot harder. See our article on staying calm under stress for more help.