What is the best answer to "I think we should stay friends"?

Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them. -Anna Taylor

If you really love the friendship and have the maturity to handle being friends with this person, then by all means, let them know that you would like staying friends. And let your actions follow through with your words.

If you cannot handle being just friends with them, even if they want to be just friends, then the WORST thing to do is ghost on them, mistreat them, or cut them off. Talk to them, no matter how hard it will be to master up that courage. Let them know you care about them (if you do), but you need to tread the upcoming path in life without them. (You don't need to tell them everything you feel, just let them know your purest feeling towards them in the nicest way you can, for example, that you care).

The last, but most probable case, is that you’re confused. You don't know if you can continue to to care for someone and maintain that idea of ‘friendship' with them because the intensity you feel is just too real and too right. When you're with them, you are lighter mentally and emotionally. When you're away from them, you feel like a piece of you is missing. You love them-what you have is a soul connection and that's all you know.

Could it lead to something more? Maybe.

Should it? Definitely not.

You know in your heart that the best thing for you is being only friends. You keep reminding yourself of that…but why would you even have to remind yourself of that if you were not feeling something more than friendship?

Thus, you should take a break from the friendship, whether you openly tell them that you want a break or not. A mental, physical, and emotional break from them gives you time to reevaluate your emotions towards them, and (hopefully) start over with a clean slate whenever you're ready.

Don't rush your heart.

Always trust the process.