This weekend a male friend i have known for over 20 years told me he loved me and had for a long time. He said he could no longer be quiet about his feelings. The problem is that after being so close of friends for so long that if we started dating now and it didnt work i would lose a great friend. The dilemma is do i take a chance at dating him and maybe lose him as a friend or do i just tell him i am not interested in dating him in which case things could be so awkward i lose him as friend anyway. i really dont know what to do.