Dear Scarleteen
I'm 16, 17 in less than a month, and have a strong crush on a 26 year old woman I met online. She had a boyfriend when we met, and I didn't fall in love with her until after they broke up a week or two ago. I've told two of my friends about my crush on her, and they don't think it's too bad if I pursue her. My mom also isn't actively opposed to me dating her and knows I'm bi, but may not know I'm seriously in love with her and don't just think she's pretty. When I'm 17, I'm going to a camp where she's going to be a counselor. I know it's inappropriate to date a counselor as a camper, but I feel like I can become her friend, and then when we're good friends when I'm closer to 18, we can be girlfriends. I follow her on Instagram and twitter, but she doesn't follow me. We're both aspiring musicians, and she isn't homophobic/biphobic, but I don't know if she's wlw like me. I really feel love towards her, to the point where I got pettily jealous on the inside when I saw a guy next to her in several of her videos even though as far as I know, he's just a friend, though I would never try to steal a guy's girlfriend or wish a failed relationship on them so I can have her. Do you think it's inappropriate to date a 26 year old at 17, and if not, what should I do about my strong love for her?