I might be exactly 30 years late on this…but have you heard of ER?
...and why you must always have a crush.
I’m ready to talk about my crush on Doug Ross. George Clooney blessed our TV screens as Doug Ross from 1994-1999. For those who don’t know, he played Doug Ross, and Doug Ross (I can only call him by his full name, sorry this bit won’t end) is in pediatrics but stationed in the ER. First of all, he looks like THAT and loves taking care of children - is this a setup? He’s SO passionate about his job, that he goes to great measures to save children’s lives no matter the risk to his career over and over and over again. For example, in season 2, the episode is called Hell or High Water, he saves a child that is stuck in a storm drain (in a rain storm!) and because news reporters catch him in the act he becomes a local celebrity. This is simply the only storyline you can consider when you have George Clooney playing a doctor.
I’ve had so much fun watching this show; it’s nostalgic - the theme music alone transports me right back to the carpeted floor in front of my parent’s TV. And in watching this 30-year-old procedural drama, I realized I was catching feelings for this Doug Ross guy. Listen, I know I’m late to the party! I’m just happy to be here!
I think it’s essential to have a crush. It’s fun, means nothing, and honestly, it’s just a great way to pass the time.1 It can be fun to crush on someone you don’t know, ie: Doug Ross or hi, @JoshOConnor, I’m talking to you. It can also be equally as satisfying to crush on someone you do know. To the man who owns my local coffee shop, thank you for being so hot. It makes those trips to my coffee shop that much more exciting. Ideally, the crush is fleeting and serves its purpose briefly. Also, a crush, to me, can be broad in definition. A person, certainly. But I also crush on animals, places, and most importantly, food. Open your minds, y’all. Crushes aren’t always connected to who I’m attracted to but rather what touches my heart. Something or someone that makes me smile and has me buzzing.
A crush can also, and this is the case for me currently, help you see your way out of the loss of something. Getting through a breakup is never easy and sometimes actively bad. The one that I’m dealing with is pretty rough. I haven’t been feeling super fun and flirty and I LOVE being fun and flirty! I’m usually cute (don’t fact-check this, just trust me) and fun so it’s a real big bummer being cute and sad about a boy. What an absolute waste. But having a crush allows me to fantasize about someone and reminds me that I won’t always feel this way. Thinking about making out with my crush - in this case, good ol’ Doug - is helping me to remember that making out with someone will be fun eventually, even though currently, boys make me sick!! Having a crush (or multiple!) is honestly healing whatever part of my heart feels broken.
So, Doug Ross is helping. He is showing me the way. With that salt and pepper hair and quick wit, the profound love of his job, and care and attention to his coworkers….plus that little smile/smirk he does when he’s flirting…..it’s all reaalllllyyyyy working for me.
Anyway, here are some Present and Past Crushes of mine:
The aforementioned coffee shop guy, hot dad, and local business owner! He recently bought a vintage car, as if he could get hotter. My male roommate also crushes on him. It can be fun to crush with other people!
My spin instructor: a hot gym instructor who parades his thighs around as motivation? This is deeply unserious.
The rice balls at Little Dom’s. This is the perfect example of expanding your definition of a crush. A perfect plate of food is crush-worthy, romanticize your life!!!!
A bartender my best friend works with: this lasted approx. 2 hours.
I already said Josh O’Connor but it bears repeating. Mike Faist, you can come too!!! We’ve all seen Challengers, do I have to explain this?
My two gay male coworkers: we regularly quote The Devil Wears Prada and Beaches to each other. The banter is 10/10. They are my soulmates.
I was recently in Spain and crushed on the cutest Spanish bellhop. He had a mustache and that my friends, is one of my kinks.
I also crushed on a Spanish barista. Gorgeous tattoos, a great haircut….now that I’m thinking about it, the theme here might be men in Spain…
I read a romance novel recently that featured the hottest male main character named… Shep. First of all, that’s a HOT “book boyfriend” name. He was such a sweet, sensitive, golden retriever. Fictional book crushes are the best.
This one’s an oldie but a goodie…I still think about an ROTC guy I went to college with that I crushed on SO HARD. He was in the skydiving club, it would never have worked.
I’m confident that I’m a few crushes away from feeling F&F again. Just in time for summer…here’s hoping. If not, there are endless amounts of people (or plates of food) to crush on out there… I can’t wait for a new one to come along.
I should say, that it can mean nothing to have a crush if you’re SINGLE. If you’re not, that can get sticky, but it’s also not off the table….just. Like. Everyone: be good to each other!!
have never watched ER but this is v fun and v cute!! keep on crushing!!
Thanks for reading! 💓