When your crush on a friend feels different and confusing

I’ve had this close friend for a few years now, and recently I realized I’m starting to feel something more than just friendship. The thing is, it doesn’t feel like the typical romantic crush I’ve experienced before. It’s more like a deep admiration mixed with a kind of comfort and excitement that’s hard to put into words. We’ve always been super open with each other, but I’m worried bringing this up might change the dynamic or make things awkward. What’s throwing me off is that I’m not sure if what I feel should be labeled as romantic, platonic, or something else entirely. I’ve tried stepping back to see if the feelings fade, but they haven’t. I want to respect our friendship but also be honest about how I feel, without rushing into anything or making assumptions. Has anyone experienced something similar where your feelings for a friend felt unclear or different from your past crushes? How did you navigate sharing or not sharing those feelings without risking the friendship?