Is it normal to be attracted to/in love 2 years absolutely unrequited?
What I'm mostly asking for here is #1, apparently, that you could read (skim?) a novel-long post, and #2, for feedback on my "dealing with it" ideas (listed at the end).
I am a female college student, generally intelligent, level-headed, and focused on ideas and my work.
However, over the course of two years, I have been, at various stages, intrigued by, attracted to, and finally in (unrequited) love with another student.
I consider my sexuality ambiguous and undefined, in the interest of being open minded and on the grounds that I have never before been attracted to anyone.
This student is male, and one of the first people I have ever felt akin to in terms of personality, lifestyle, interests...
However, even though he has a history of 7 different girlfriends, one which he had sexual relations with, this individual went from self-describing as "bisexual" to "homosexual."
BOOM. There goes any hope of resolution from my happy new ability to, you know, have sexual feelings toward somebody I actually know.
Before people start making assumptions, I have absolutely nothing against any form of sexuality, including homosexuality. This individual has zero stereotypical gay characteristics (not that I endorse those either), and I have nearly no "typically female and/or gay" interests, so this is not a Will&Grace/faghag situation, sorry. I like being down-to-earth, as 'unfabulous' as possible, and have a dry, not campy, humor. Same as him.
My current ideas for dealing with this include:
1. Writing a manifesto on how sexuality should be open in every single person and dependent on the whims of a moment, and not the labels of a lifetime, to blow off some quasi-intellectual angst and rationalize the two years I somehow expected his sexuality to not be set in stone.
2. Work really hard to mentally regard this individual as a "brother" to move him outside of the sexualizable realm. This would also allow me to still love him, but in a less depression-forming way when those kind of feelings aren't reciprocated. We are very close so him seeing me as a sister wouldn't be that far outside possible.
3. Explore my sexuality outside of the context of this one fictionalized relationship. This doesn't mean I'm going to go look for a boyfriend or girlfriend desperately, just keep an open eye, maybe go out to social functions once in a while.
4. Return more focus to my work, interests, and visions for the world. Getting stuff done, basically.
Thoughts? Or TL;DR?