--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: However he'd found his way here, it…" description: "\"“However he'd found his way here, it didn't matter. I knew then that the boy under the tree had to be mine. That floppy hair should be mine to touch. T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/brodi-ashton-2357_best-friend_however-he-d-found-his-way-here-it-didn_2053968.jpg" --- # However he'd found his way here, it didn't matter. I knew… ![“However he'd found his way here, it didn't matter. I knew then that the boy under the tree had to be mine. That floppy hair should be mine to touch. That big, knuckly boy hand should be mine to hold. That gruff voice should be mine to hear, and those ears should be mine to tell all my secrets to…” quote by Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/brodi-ashton-2357_best-friend_however-he-d-found-his-way-here-it-didn_2053968.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/brodi-ashton-2357_best-friend_however-he-d-found-his-way-here-it-didn_2053968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/brodi-ashton-2357_best-friend_however-he-d-found-his-way-here-it-didn_2053968.jpg) > ““However he'd found his way here, it didn't matter. I knew then that the boy under the tree had to be mine. That floppy hair should be mine to touch. That big, knuckly boy hand should be mine to hold. That gruff voice should be mine to hear, and those ears should be mine to tell all my secrets to. Except for the biggest secret. That I loved him. More than the crush I was dealing with for years. More than I should've loved a best friend. More than he would ever love me back. I was gone for him.”” [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator reveals deep, unreciprocated love for a friend, confronting personal identity, longing, and the pain of unspoken affection. **In simple terms:** A secret love for a friend causes inner conflict. Key Takeaway Accept feelings and seek honest communication. Themes love identity friendship conflict growth Mood melancholic hopeful Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - coming out - confessing love - personal growth - supportive friendships Key Concepts unrequited love self‑discovery emotional vulnerability Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from expressing love? - How does secrecy affect self‑acceptance? A Different Perspective Fear of rejection may prevent honesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-friend/) [Jack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jack/) [Knew Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-boy-3883830/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Loved Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-best-699735/) [Loved Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-crush-3883829/) [Nikki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nikki/) [Secret Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret-loved-2455756/) ## Related quotes > [“Tell me, friend. Is there more for us?" I looked into his eyes, "There is everything for us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/tell-me-friend-is-there-more-for-us-i-looked-into-his-eyes-there-is/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“He leaned forward and said, "Tell me, friend. Is there more for us?" I looked down at my feet. "There's everything for us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/he-leaned-forward-and-said-tell-me-friend-is-there-more-for-us-i/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [He placed his hand in mine and Im telling you in that moment in time, I knew he was the boy I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-placed-his-hand-in-mine-and-im-telling-you-in-that-moment-in-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Even if he was, I knew that boy. Watched him grow up with you. He was more than any bad decision he made,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-thomas/even-if-he-was-i-knew-that-boy-watched-him-grow-up-with-you-he-was/) [Angie Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-thomas/) > [It also was never a secret how loved Paul was, but seeing and hearing the way that everyone talked about him, from producers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-walker/it-also-was-never-a-secret-how-loved-paul-was-but-seeing-and-hearing/) [Cody Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-walker/) > [“It is not your time, love. You will not die tonight. All this time she thought herself in love with the notion of Death.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-featherstone/it-is-not-your-time-love-you-will-not-die-tonight-all-this-time-she/) [Charlotte Featherstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-featherstone/) > [The secret of being loved is in being lovely; and the secret of being lovely is in being unselfish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-holland/the-secret-of-being-loved-is-in-being-lovely-and-the-secret-of-being/) [J. G. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-holland/) > [“I pushed against him but he held me tight. 'You're delusional' I said. 'I'm the delusional guy whose going to keep you alive' There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/i-pushed-against-him-but-he-held-me-tight-you-re-delusional-i-said-i/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“How are you so good at reading me when you can't read anyone else around you?" He sighed, and as he climbed out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/how-are-you-so-good-at-reading-me-when-you-can-t-read-anyone-else/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“... " it's the Fiery Furnace." They just looked at me as if I said "It's a puppy driving a tractor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/it-s-the-fiery-furnace-they-just-looked-at-me-as-if-i-said-it-s-a/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“He held me back just enough so I could see his face, and his determined frown. "You meant for this life. With me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/he-held-me-back-just-enough-so-i-could-see-his-face-and-his/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Hi, Nikki," Gavin said. Ariel didn't even bother looking up from Gavin's neck. "Hey, Gavin," I said. "I thought that latest STD test came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/hi-nikki-gavin-said-ariel-didn-t-even-bother-looking-up-from-gavin-s/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“So he earns your undying love by reading a book under a tree?" Cole said dryly. "Why didn't I ever try that approach? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/so-he-earns-your-undying-love-by-reading-a-book-under-a-tree-cole/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“I was asking Cole to risk his life, again and again, for the boy I loved. And it wasn't him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/i-was-asking-cole-to-risk-his-life-again-and-again-for-the-boy-i/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Give me your heart,” I said. He tilted his head, leaned forward, watching my eyes the entire time to make sure it was okay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/give-me-your-heart-i-said-he-tilted-his-head-leaned-forward-watching/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) ## More by Brodi Ashton > [“Look, Nik, I know you don't like public scrutiny lately. If you stand off to the side, all mopey and such, without a date,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/look-nik-i-know-you-don-t-like-public-scrutiny-lately-if-you-stand/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“I’d found my redemption, and my hero. And I was going to get him back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/i-d-found-my-redemption-and-my-hero-and-i-was-going-to-get-him-back/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“It's just that even though I'm totally old and unhip,I remember what boys in high school were like.Especially the kind like Jack Caputo." "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/it-s-just-that-even-though-i-m-totally-old-and-unhip-i-remember-what/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Did you forgive her?" I looked at her with a start. Jack dropped his salad back in the bucket. "What?" "Did you forgive Nikki?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/did-you-forgive-her-i-looked-at-her-with-a-start-jack-dropped-his/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Hey,Nik." I turned around to see Cole, dressed head to toe in black. Black suit, black shirt,black tie hanging loose around his neck. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/hey-nik-i-turned-around-to-see-cole-dressed-head-to-toe-in-black/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“He took a deep breath and held out his hand. "We got off to a bad start, but you're obviously a friend of Becks's."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/he-took-a-deep-breath-and-held-out-his-hand-we-got-off-to-a-bad-start/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Stop thinking about it, Nik!" "What?" He grinned and shook his head. "You know what. You're looking at my hair like an addict at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/stop-thinking-about-it-nik-what-he-grinned-and-shook-his-head-you/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Faith?” The word popped out before I could think about it. “Faith in what? A higher power? The gods? The universe?” My voice cracked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/faith-the-word-popped-out-before-i-could-think-about-it-faith-in-what/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“I know that look. It comes in the quiet moments, like this one. I know you're thinking that this is all your fault and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/i-know-that-look-it-comes-in-the-quiet-moments-like-this-one-i-know/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Jack was behind it,waiting, with the corner of his lip pulled up in not quite a smile. "What?" he demanded. "What what?" I asked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/jack-was-behind-it-waiting-with-the-corner-of-his-lip-pulled-up-in/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“I had believed there was no such thing as redemption. I knew now I was wrong. Redemption had not come from grand gestures of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/i-had-believed-there-was-no-such-thing-as-redemption-i-knew-now-i-was/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“One last question, if you have a moment…” Jack said. “Shoot.” “How do you kill an Akh ghost?” There was a pause on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/one-last-question-if-you-have-a-moment-jack-said-shoot-how-do-you/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Now you've done it." His tone was quietly playful. I couldn't help it.I looked up at him questioningly. "You've added a third word to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/now-you-ve-done-it-his-tone-was-quietly-playful-i-couldn-t-help-it-i/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“You've never been in love?" He let out a quiet breath,and I felt him shake his head. "Easy to say. Harder to feel." He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/you-ve-never-been-in-love-he-let-out-a-quiet-breath-and-i-felt-him/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) > [“Give me your heart,” I said. He tilted his head, leaned forward, watching my eyes the entire time to make sure it was okay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brodi-ashton/give-me-your-heart-i-said-he-tilted-his-head-leaned-forward-watching/) [Brodi Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) [Explore all 165 Brodi Ashton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brodi-ashton/) ## More Best friend quotes > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [I fell in love with my best friend, but I know that if it doesn't last, it will never be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-yang/i-fell-in-love-with-my-best-friend-but-i-know-that-if-it-doesn-t-last/) [Shelly Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-yang/) > [A best friend isn't someone who's just always there for you.Its someone who understands you a bit more than you understand yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-best-friend-isn-t-someone-who-s-just-always-there-for-you-its/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Back home I get to see my old friends!(: But they don't understand the change in me and I can't explain it to them...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/back-home-i-get-to-see-my-old-friends-but-they-don-t-understand-the/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [This goes out to someone that was Once the most important person in my life I didn't realize it at the time I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aviation/this-goes-out-to-someone-that-was-once-the-most-important-person-in/) [Aviation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aviation/) > [You’re crazy,” said her best friend, Angela, as the bell rang to signal five minutes before the first class on the first day back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/you-re-crazy-said-her-best-friend-angela-as-the-bell-rang-to-signal/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [Sometimes the right people can make your day. They're called best friends :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/sometimes-the-right-people-can-make-your-day-they-re-called-best/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Here is your third gift from Me once again..I had a fourth gift it was about me making a video telling you how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilbear/here-is-your-third-gift-from-me-once-again-i-had-a-fourth-gift-it-was/) [LilBear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilbear/) > [Our friendship is like a cup of tea¦a special blend of you and me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orebela-gbenga/our-friendship-is-like-a-cup-of-tea-a-special-blend-of-you-and-me/) [Orebela Gbenga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orebela-gbenga/) > [When you have the most beautiful best friend in the world what more could I ask for I love you Tay :) you mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick/when-you-have-the-most-beautiful-best-friend-in-the-world-what-more/) [Nick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick/) > [I believe in God, because he is the only thing that kept me going. He's my best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-hahn/i-believe-in-god-because-he-is-the-only-thing-that-kept-me-going-he-s/) [Jessica Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-hahn/) > [ONE stone enough to break a glass,,, ONE sentence is enough to break a heart,,, FIRST sight is enough to fall in love,,, ONE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-stone-enough-to-break-a-glass-one-sentence-is-enough-to-break-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A Real Man will help build his woman's self esteem not break it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-s-voice/a-real-man-will-help-build-his-woman-s-self-esteem-not-break-it/) [Lisa's Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-s-voice/) [Browse all 6,524 Best friend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-friend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“However he'd found his way here, it didn't matter. I knew then that the boy under the tree had to be mine. That floppy hair should be mine to touch. That big, knuckly boy hand should be mine to hold. That gruff voice should be mine to hear, and those ears should be mine to tell all my secrets to. Except for the biggest secret. That I loved him. More than the crush I was dealing with for years. More than I should've loved a best friend. More than he would ever love me back. 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