"Welcome to the Smart Girl's Podcast everybody," Jess announces, her voice filled with excitement.

"I'm Shay," Shay chimes in.

"And I'm Jess, and today we are talking about..." they say together.

"Crushes," they declare in unison.

"So, Crushes is a super popular book, The Smart Girl's Guide Books. And I would say it's popular because it really does address a lot of things that we feel growing up, dating, rejection, and other stuff," Jess begins.

"And all the things we're really curious about," Shay adds.

"Yes, that we're curious about. And I think our hope in having this conversation is we get to define what crushes are and explore how to handle them and make sure that people who are navigating this moment are feeling supported," Jess continues.

"We're gonna bring them in with our guests, and you'll see us talk about them throughout other episodes as well. So, I'm so excited for that. Plus, we have great experts and great guests who are gonna join us to help us get some good tips and tools, a little bit more advice and other perspectives on these topics. And to kick us off, we have an amazing guest today," Jess adds.

"Yes, we do. I will tell you guys about her. So today our guest is Aurora Bushnell. She is the sweetest human being ever. She's so talented, I love her so much, oh my gosh, she's the best. I met her when I was 15, she was 12, and yeah, please welcome her!" Shay introduces with enthusiasm.

"Hi, everyone, my name is Aurora Bushnell. Shay, love you, and Jess, it's so great to meet you," Aurora greets warmly.

"Jess, I wanna dive right into it and ask you, what is a crush?" Shay prompts.

"Very good question, Shay. Okay. So I would define a crush as a feeling that you get about somebody that can make you feel a lot of different emotions. It can make you feel excited. You could have a crush on their talent, you could have a crush on their kindness, but you... It's a special feeling. I think a crush is a sign of you liking something at a really big level. And that can come up at all different times in all different places," Jess explains.

"Yeah, totally. I think for me, the ways that I can tell I have a crush on someone is I get a little bit nervous," Shay adds.

"Yes. When I'm around them and I'm still like, I get all the nerves," Jess agrees.

"Little butterflies," Shay adds with a smile.

"A little butterflies for sure. I was gonna say that. And I kinda, I can't get my mind off of them. I just always wanna be talking to them. Always wanna be hanging out with them. And I find a way to bring up their name in nearly every single conversation that is like a massive one where I'm like, Oh my God, I think I may have a crush on them," Jess shares.

"See, this is why crushes are actually exciting. Because it does stimulate a little bit of like a fantasy, right? We might imagine what it would be like if..." Shay reflects.

"Daydream a lot," Jess agrees.

"Yeah. We daydream a lot about that person. We like to be around that person or we imagine we would wanna be around that person. So, actually that's a great point, Shay. Sometimes our crushes could be on people we really know. And sometimes they could be on strangers and people we don't really know. But I always think it's about what it brings up in you," Shay elaborates.

"Figuring out what you like and how it goes so much deeper than just what somebody looks like," Jess concludes.

"Absolutely," Aurora interjects, eager to join in the conversation. "For me, crushes are like this mix of excitement and nervousness, you know? It's like my heart skips a beat when they walk into the room, and suddenly, I can't seem to form coherent sentences."

Shay nods in agreement. "Oh, totally! It's like your brain goes into overdrive, and you're just hyper-aware of everything they do."

"Yeah, exactly," Aurora continues, her enthusiasm growing. "And then there's this constant battle between wanting to talk to them all the time and being too scared to make a fool of myself."

Jess smiles sympathetically. "I think we've all been there at some point. It's like your emotions are on this rollercoaster ride, and you're not quite sure how to navigate it."

"Definitely," Aurora agrees. "But at the end of the day, crushes are just a part of growing up, right? They teach us about ourselves and what we value in relationships."

Shay nods thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's a great point. They might be confusing and sometimes even a little frustrating, but they also remind us that we're capable of feeling deeply for someone else."

"Exactly," Aurora concludes, a sense of contentment washing over her. "Crushes might be messy, but they're also kind of magical in their own way."

" yes exactly I feel like they impact who you end up with So my first crush was in I would say fifth grade. I remember sort of like liking and chasing boys in the playground when I was in third grade. But I do think in fifth grade I had this crush on a boy named Ryan. And when I think back on why did I like Ryan, it was because he was the class clown and he was silly, but his humor was never mean. He was just like a silly kid."

" so like Lighthearted humor". Aurora smiles

LLighthearted humor. Very witty actually. And I can now look back on that and say, Oh my gosh. Like I now know that's a big important attribute for me. You know, my husband is very witty and funny in that way. I now know that that was an attribute that mattered to me and that's something that I care about. He was also very kind. So it was a way now like when I had this crush on Ryan, it was like in fifth grade, I don't think I had the guts to tell him. In fact, I don't think I did. I just wanted him to be my square dance partner in PE. So I pined for him and I daydreamed about him. But now if I look back, I think he kind of like is an example of the type of person I ended up really liking in my life."

"Yeah. And I wanna say, I think it's also an example of who you are. They reflect what we like, but also who we are." Shay agrees

What are your guys crushes reflecting for you, do you think?

"I think I've always just really liked kind-hearted people."

"That would make sense knowing you."

"Every single crush I've had, if I look back on them, they are very kind, sensitive people. Very like, just emotional. I don't ever like people that I kinda have a wall up 'cause I feel like then I can't connect with them. So kind, emotional. I think funny too, I love to laugh when I'm with people. Those are really, really important ones for me."

" ya such a good point like that's you what about you Aurora ?"

" um for me iv always you know so similar to Shay like soft but like strong like those boys that have that one soft spot for you very kind and has a great sense of humor so ya I just also want to feel protected like I feel like iv only liked a few people like 3 not including celeb crushes and they all have this thing in them you know "

" Rora that is so you ! Like I don't know it seems you'd relate to them "

" yes Shay ! Exactly like that !"

~🎙️~

As the conversation about crushes unfolded

Aurora was reading some people's experiences when she her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

Glancing at the screen, she saw Wakie❤️ name flashing .

" Sorry " Aurora smiles

" oh you should answer that we can ask him about the podcast "

her heart skipped a beat. With a grin, she tapped the answer button and put him on speaker.

"Hey, Rory," Walker's voice came through the phone, warm and familiar.

"Hey, Walker, you're on speaker," Aurora replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "I'm actually recording for podcast right now."

"Hey, Walker!" Shay chimed in.

" oh I'm so sorry ! Hi shay !"

"And I'm Jess," Jess added

" so this is walker scobell everyone !" Shay introduces

"So walker for this episode discussing crushes today. What's your take in a girl ?" Jess ask grinning at Aurora

Walker chuckled softly. "Ah , I just you know want a girl who gets me who's there for me who likes spending time with me and has a great personality and kind and just is a good person you know ?"

Aurora beamed, proud of Walker's thoughtful response. "That's so sweet," she added.

Little did she know , he was describing some of her traits

"Yeah, definitely," Shay agreed. "Kindness goes a long way."

Jess nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Thanks for sharing, Walker. It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on this topic."

"No problem," Walker replied, his voice warm and genuine. "Anyway I'll let you continue your podcast I'll call you back later bye !"

" bye Scobell "

— You Belong with me —