I realized I was aromantic only after getting in a relationship, and I feel awful about it.

It's been a few years now but I still can't help but feel awful to the person I once said "I love you" to. I didn't know what real romantic attraction was, only when I saw them fall head over heels for me did I realize that I simply couldn't feel the same way. I loved them, but only as a close friend, the "I love you"s felt so hollow, like their was something missing to the true sentiment of the words I was saying. I felt like I was manipulating them and using them, even though I myself didn't know what I was feeling.

After I broke up with them I had a lot of time to think about my feeling. I realized why I had never had a crush on somebody or presumed romantic relationships, even if I don't look at that time of my life with great memories I'm glad it helped me discover a part of myself I didn't know exited. We are friends now and I hope the keep it that way.

I don't really know what to tag this as... But thank you for reading this lol