Do you ever start a sentence like this: “I’ve got a friend who … “?
It’s immaterial how the sentence ends. But, just as a thought exercise, consider: Is this person really my friend or just an acquaintance?
What if friendship meant something you’ve asked for, like a proposal?
What if we said things like, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, is it OK if I start calling you my friend?”
How charming would that sound if it came from someone you enjoy spending time with?