30 People Share The Juiciest Details About How Their High School Crush Ended Up As Adults
We’re here for the gist!
Some people don’t recognize a favor until it comes back around years later, and this thread is packed with that exact kind of twist. One minute it’s a high school crush, the next it’s a rollercoaster of careers, brutal health news, and totally unexpected texts that land at the worst time or the perfect time.
In this batch of stories, you’ve got a guy who went from PhD-by-25 to stage-4 skin cancer by 31, then somehow ended up years later living a calm, civilian life, still married to the same woman, and pushing for better public health care. And then there’s the other kind of chaos, like the ex who texted, “I know you don’t like metal,” only to send a metal clarinet cover, basically proving he had no clue what she actually liked.
It’s the kind of “wait, what?” adulthood plot that makes you question everything about how crushes turn into real life.
1. He had a rollercoaster of a life
I admire him more than ever, and more than most people I know, but can't wrap my head around why I ever found him physically attractive. Maybe it was always just his heart.By age 25, he had a PhD, a wife, and was a captain in the navy. By 30, he had two PhDs, a small business where he made a metric a*s-ton of money, and his wife was pregnant. By 31 he was diagnosed with stage-4 skin cancer that swiftly spread to his lymph nodes, bones, esophagus, and a few other places. He was told he had minimal chance of making it 5 more years. Even with the best health insurance money can buy, it still basically wiped him out.Seven years later, he's living a comfortable but not extravagant life as a civilian contractor for the navy, same wife and two happy healthy kids, and spends most of his free time advocating for better public health care.
theMycon2. My high school ex randomly sent me a text years after we split up
The text went, "I know you don't like metal, but I thought you'd like this" and a link to a clarinet cover of a metal song (I played in HS).Little did he know that I hated playing clarinet and I was now a total metal head.
justAHeardOfLlamas3. Became a leading surgeon in a major city.
Pretty impressive, if you ask us!
usagiyojimbo808
The Complexity of Adult Relationships
Research on romantic relationships emphasizes the shifting dynamics that occur as individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood. As people grow and change, their relationships with past crushes often evolve, reflecting personal growth and changing values. This is particularly relevant in the context of high school relationships, where initial infatuations can reveal deeper patterns in adult romantic choices.
Understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights into how early relationships impact future partnerships, influencing emotional availability and attachment styles.
The stories shared about high school crushes reveal a tapestry of emotions that many can relate to.
4. My friends high school crush was Tom Holland.
Like they went to the same schoolWe can relate. It’s Tom Holland; nobody can fault this crush.
5im5am
5. My crush turned into a self-righteous pr*ck who still lives with his parents.
He became livid when he found out my husband and I had a baby. I apparently was supposed to be his back-up plan if he couldn’t find anyone better.
Pixie_gurl
6. I believe he’s moved away and is a teacher now.
This person definitely deserves a lot better.
breezylova
That first rollercoaster story sets the tone, because by 31 he’s dealing with stage-4 skin cancer while his high school “crush energy” somehow survives the years.
The stories shared about high school crushes often highlight the nostalgia associated with those formative experiences. Nostalgia can serve as a powerful emotional tool, evoking memories that foster a sense of connection to our past selves.
Reflecting on past relationships can help individuals understand the lessons learned and the emotional growth achieved over time, aiding in the development of healthier future relationships.
Furthermore, the social context of high school can amplify the emotional stakes associated with crushes. The desire for validation and acceptance often fuels these crushes, leading individuals to idealize their objects of affection. This idealization can complicate future interactions, as it may set unrealistic expectations for romantic relationships later in life.
7. Still super hot
She married some loser and has a few kids with him. That loser was me. Just celebrated 22 years of marriage.
BobSacramanto
8. The guy I crushed on for 2 and a half years did not end up turning out great. The second however...
I'm still friends with his younger sister, so I know that he recently acquired his third DUI and his second divorce. He's currently living in his friend's basement and occasionally works for his friend's moving company as a mover, but only when he feels like it. He spends all his money on booze and owes the two moms of his 5 kids tons of child support. But man, was he hot in high school.My second crush in high school is the only reason I got over my first crush. He's currently doing great, mostly because he gets to be married to me for going on 20 years :D.You’ve just gotta love second crushes
I_Want_A_Llama
9. She passed away our senior year, six months after she agreed to marry me after we graduated
How tragic!
MightyCaseyStruckOut
The Influence of Shared Experiences
When individuals recount their experiences with high school crushes, they often reflect on the emotions and connections that defined those moments.
Creating opportunities for shared experiences in adult relationships can help foster deeper connections and enhance mutual understanding, ultimately contributing to more satisfying partnerships.
The Lasting Impact of First Crushes
Interestingly, first crushes can have a lasting impact on individuals' romantic preferences and attachment styles.
10. Overdosed and died last year.
I got to see him before he was taken off life support with a really good mutual friend we shared (organ donor too). It was surreal seeing him dwarfed by all these machines. He had one the largest hearts I’ve ever come across.A painful loss, no doubt.
Voltage_Biter
11. Multiple degrees, on track to being a full-time educator, mother of two, and my wife
Congratulations are in order!
KJR506
12. Still a ten for looks.
I'm sure she kept on as the amazing, kind person she is. She moved to another country, speaks multiple languages and is more successful than I imagined. She seems happy but we haven't talked since the time I told her how I felt about her about 20 years ago.
gorgonheap
Then the vibe flips hard when the ex from high school randomly texts years later with a clarinet cover of a metal song, acting like he knows her taste.
It’s hard not to think of the dilemma, whether to reveal a friend’s secret crush to help them find closure.
Moreover, the role of emotional intelligence in adult relationships cannot be overstated.
Moreover, sharing stories about high school crushes can foster connection among peers.
13. Dead by 32, drugs
Say NO to Drugs!
anon
14. My only GF in high school was my crush.
Her mom banned her from dating me after about a year because my GF admitted to her mom that we were fooling around. This was about 20 years ago.She’s still living with her mom, no kids, and as far as I know never again dated seriously after her mom broke us up. Still has the same job from high school too. It’s like her mom went way into protective overdrive and my former GF never grew up.
USPO-222
15. Still cute as heck, one of the kindest and most sensitive people I know, and still one of my best friends 15 years later
A possible love story. We’re rooting for them!
Snish_Woogis
The funny part is, she played clarinet in high school, hated it, and now she’s a total metal head, so the text hits like a bullseye on the wrong target.
Practical Takeaways for Navigating Crushes
To navigate the complexities of crushes, individuals should focus on developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
16. She is actually a very successful artist and an art teacher at a renowned university in France
She even got decorated for her work (Chevalier des arts et des lettres)
chinchenping
17. She worked with the Obama administration and got married to some politician’s son
She is happy and that’s the only thing that matters, oh she was also our schools Valedictorian she was so busy with her job she could not organizeour high school reunion so that’s a plus. I wasn’t head over heels for her I admired her but I knew I wasn’t for her.Then there’s another crush of mine, we ran into each other years after graduation at grocery store. After talking I asked her out to dinner at my house, I pull out all the stops I buy rainbow trout filets and make all the fixings.6:30 rolls around I open the door and “who the hell is this man behind her?” Oh this is my fiancé , she tells (neglected to tell me about) me. Turns out they wanted to sell me on some MLM thing. She tried to cross the threshold I put my arm out and asked them politely to leave. I turned away from the door and had my saddest meal I ever ate.
Gunslinger_11
18. Became a professional cheerleader, Died of breast cancer at 34.
Googling names from high school is crazy!Cancer strikes again. Terrible!
frijolita_bonita
19. She's married with a couple of kids now, so pretty standard life I guess.
I briefly worked with mine and didn't realise it was her until I left for another job. She looked almost unrecognisable, but it was 15 years after I last saw her.
anon
20. Went on to be a teenaged model for hair products
That's not all...
She also graduated from Yale, toured Europe, opened her own successful ceramics company that is sold worldwide and is often written up in magazines. Makes me feel like s**t every time I think of her
dogchowtoastedcheese
21. He’s 32 and still works at the same pizza place and is a conspiracy theorist
I feel like I dodged a bullet.At least he can whip up a nice Pizza.
thrashglam
22. Haha, my husband!
Our first marriages didn't work out and we reconnected after our divorces. If only I would have confessed I had a crush on him in high school, might have saved myself a lot of trouble... LolThe second time was the charm.
Pineapple-dancer
23. Hot douche who doesn’t really do much except go to the gym.
To be fair, that’s how he was in high school, I just liked it back then.
kevin_moran
24. An insanely talented molecular biology researcher at Boston
And she’s still insanely attractiveHe should totally hit her up.
sderou20
25. He’s an attractive gay man.
I am none of those things.
MelScarn
26. Pretty good. Seems to have her life together, although she had a few setbacks.
She's gone back to uni since job prospects in here field kinda sucked, but seems to be really enjoying it. She's dating me though, so clearly her judgement sucks.A win for sure.
boltgun_to_the_face
27. One of them is homeless and a druggie. The other one is famous in his home country, is a best selling author
I guess they balance one another out.
secondofmyname
28. My English teacher still looks fine as f**k
We certainly didn't see this coming.
vouch4meplz
29. Began acting
It’s weird - every so often I’ll see a commercial or something and be like “oh, hey, I know them!” My crush is an incredibly sweet person, so I’m glad.
BitwiseB
30. I had three. One from the first two years and two from the last two.
The first one is now F to M trans, who walked to Colorado to join a cult/commune. He is now in Arizona recording rap albums.The second girl moved to Florida and lives in a swamp. She periodically hits me up to tell me she misses me, how dumb I was that I didn't follow through, that we should get married.The third was a missionary. She wasn't really into it once she grew up, came back home and I introduced her to one of my closest friends. They've been married for 15 years.
DrRoborknik
Meanwhile, the guy who once had two PhDs and a navy captain life is out there years later as a civilian contractor, still with the same wife, still finding a way to keep showing up.</p>
High school crushes are some of the most memorable crushes a person will ever have. That’s why these people had no problem remembering them.
We bet reading this took you down memory lane too. Let’s have a little fun! Tell us about how your high school crush turned out in the comments below.
High school crushes serve as a pivotal chapter in the story of adolescence, shaping not just romantic preferences but also emotional landscapes. In the shared experiences of those who recounted their youthful infatuations, we see a tapestry of emotions that range from innocent daydreams to the pangs of unrequited love. These encounters, often filled with excitement and anxiety, provide valuable lessons about attraction and vulnerability. As individuals reflect on their high school crushes, they uncover patterns that may influence their adult relationships. The importance of self-awareness and effective communication emerges as a theme, suggesting that understanding these early experiences can pave the way for healthier, more fulfilling connections in the future.
The journey from high school crushes to adult relationships provides a fascinating lens through which to view personal growth and emotional development. The article highlights that these youthful infatuations often carry over into adulthood, shaping how individuals navigate their romantic lives. Many contributors shared their stories of rekindling old flames or realizing that their adolescent attractions had evolved into deeper connections. This suggests that the shared experiences and emotional intelligence gained during those formative years significantly influence relational satisfaction in later life. By examining these dynamics, readers can glean insights that may help them cultivate healthier and more fulfilling relationships as adults.
Even the “simple” crush stories turn into plot twists when adulthood decides to get personal.
After reading about a stage-4 cancer diagnosis, you’ll want to see how one old high school prediction kept hurting a man for years.
