This one is a wonderful post and set of challenging questions.  If you're curious about my two cents, remind me some time and I'll give it my best shot. 

In my experience, members of the opposite sex can never be just best friends.  One of them, if not both, always ends up falling for the other.  Women always seem to be in denial about this, but if you ask just about any guy, I think he'd agree with me.

I mean, think about it.  Why is this person your best friend?  Isn't it because you share the same values, sense of humor, and interests?  You trust this person, you tell him things you tell no one else.  You have all kinds of inside jokes.  You feel completely comfortable around each other at all times.  Aren't things like this exactly what you hope to find in a potential mate/spouse?  So, why then wouldn't such a friendship evolve into more?

I guarantee that this thought has occurred to him already, probably a long time ago.  Like I said, it always seems to me that guys have this epiphany long before the girl does, if she ever does. 

You may be right. We were friends for six years, and now that it's so much more, everyone around is basically saying "finally". They say he's loved me for so long. I couldn't see it though. Is it possible to have everything you want right infront of you, and not even see it? Or is it just a form of denial on the girls' part?

It sounds like things are going good for you two.  Cool.  Success stories are always good to hear.

To answer you're question, I think its a little of both.  I'm guessing most guys get tossed into the friend category in the beginning based on looks (I'm not judging.  I think its just human nature).  He's not tall enough, or cute enough, or preppy/punk/jock enough, or whatever - he doesn't fit the picture in her head.  And once he's been sorted into that bin, its damn near impossible for him to crawl back out.  Especially when she doesn't want to admit that they guy who isn't "whatever" enough might be the one after all.  No one likes to admit that they're wrong.  But also, once he's been tossed into that bin, its so easy to overlook him in the future, right?  Its easy to assume that he's just saying/doing/etc "whatever" because he's being a good friend, isn't it?

But enough of my amateur psychology.

My best friend is really into piercings and body art, punk music and stuff like that. I'm more megadeth, pantera, etc. We've always had a "type". He dates girls that have the same interests and such, and I always date stereotypical guys. (into cars, strippers, etc) so if you never deviate from the norm, I guess it might not occur to you it's even a possibility. That was really good insight. Thanks!

Speaking as the Guy in this situation I would like to formally announce that no i did not even see this coming and that i was so utterly infatuated with another that it is quite possible that I did not allow myself to see it. I always saw her as beautiful yet never really attractive in that manner.  even though now I can bearly keep my eyes off her. I'm constantly wondering how could i have missed somthing so beautiful when they wher soo close.... sorry B no time for spell check..