Thank you Cellar Dweller and Enigma for your thoughts.
I guess my concern about trying to have a relationship with my friend is that I have not been attracted to a woman for so long I am worried that maybe I am not really attracted to her and I am just drawn to her because we have many things in common and get along so well. Once we start a relationship I am worried about ruining things because of this. I would hate to lose a friend. Just a bit confused because my attraction to her came out of left field.