how do you feel about dating a very overweight woman?

How did you feel dating a woman who was significantly overweight? Did her weight eventually stop mattering?

I, 28M, 5ft10, have been friends with a woman, 28F, for 10 years who is significantly overweight. I feel quite ridiculous (and even ashamed) writing this because I hate how superficial it sounds, but I genuinely don't know whether her weight is something that will bother me or whether I'm overthinking it.

I've always told myself I wouldn't date a woman who was significantly overweight, and I've actually rejected her twice before over the last 5 years because I never thought of her romantically. Although, we have always got on best amongst our group of friends, having a very similar sense of humour and genuine chemistry.

This last week our friendship group went to a festival for 5 days and I have suddenly realised I have developed feelings for her. I found myself constantly gravitating towards her, excited for when she woke up, finding excuses to touch her arm/shoulder etc, wishing I could sleep next to her in her tent and just looking at her and noticing her mannerisms like I haven't before.

I've now come home and I still feel the same attraction to her, so I know it wasn't just the festival atmosphere. She has a beautiful face and is genuinely attractive in many ways, and she's incredibly kind and gentle with me like she isn't with others in our group. She also dresses well and takes care of herself, and people (including my mum) regularly comment on how pretty she is. The annoying thing is that those same people often seem to add a caveat along the lines of, "She's so pretty, it's such a shame she's so overweight."

She has also never had a boyfriend, although she has slept with one guy, and I know her weight has played a part in that. She has always been very aware of being overweight, although she has become more confident over the years, but it seems like something men have ruled her out for. Especially as our other female friends are thinner.

The confusing thing is that although her weight bothers me when we're standing next to each other or when I'm particularly conscious of how physically different we look, when we're sitting together, talking, making eye contact etc., I don't really think about it. It's mainly when we're physically close together or when I notice her body that I'm very aware of the difference. (But we're all the same size lying down, right).

Men who have dated women who were significantly overweight: did the weight difference eventually stop mattering once you were genuinely attracted to the woman, or did you and others noticing it physically continue to bother you?

Ty in advance!