Amazing story @bobreedo! I'm sorry for taking so long to comment, I was sick in bed after a long cycling day, possibly I drank some inappropriate water.

We all have fears everyday, otherwise we'd be some sorte of robot, they are good and it's always great when we can conquer and surprass those fears. Unless we are talking about panic attacks, then it's a whole new level.

That's why I love travelling, we are always, every minute, presented with challenges - and we have to fight them, otherwise what will we do? We are always from our comfort zone, something must be done, that's how we learn.

Just like you did, simply asking the crush can be very difficult for many people, but once you do, and fail... you won't discover how easy it actually was.