Facing my "Reality"

Networking sites these days are pretty popular among youngsters and I am no exception.
I happened to join Facebook a few days ago and happened to find an old friend there.
Now, this friend is no ordinary friend. He was my first crush and the infatuation/love/attraction has happened to last longer than expected. I have thought of the guy, have written poems for him, etc. when he has almost no clue about me even liking him. Almost half a decade has gone by since the first time I saw this guy and fell in love with him. It was first sight love, at least I like to believe that.
I was in love with everything he did: be it the way he shook hands with me on his birthday or the way he shook his head to mock an essay I wrote. Be it the way he talked so much or be it the way he danced to his favorite music.  I loved him, everything he did; his choice of music, games or any other activity.
Without getting into further insignificant details, it was like I was in love with am image and a face. I was in love with an ILLUSION.
We were in the same class for three years, and then I left the school. Later my friends told me about how he had started smoking, drinking and that he now kept bad company. I refused to believe any of it. But now, after seven and a half years, I happened to see his pics on Facebook and saw him with a cigarette in his hand and smoke coming out of his nose instead of his mouth. He is now a chain smoker.
Did this "reality" hurt? Yes.
Did the illusion feel better? Yes.
I have nothing to do with this guy now. I will probably never see him again, despite that this reality hurt.
Similarly, in life there a lot of "realities" that hurt and still lack any significance what so ever.
My point here is that, we are here in this world not to face realities but to create realities. In this world, where there is no absolute truth, I believe in creating and living my own realities and truth. It feels better and it keeps me happy. So why face realities? Even in this case, I will still choose to be in love the guy I previously thought he was because then I can hope that some day, I will meet a man who will fit into it perfectly.
The greatest gift to a man from God is "free will". Everyone has the power to makes choices, but then there are consequences. I would rather believe an inconsequential lie and stay happy than face a "reality" and subject myself to despair. I know its not smart, but thats the way I choose to be.
The one thing I can never live without is hope. If a lie would keep me hoping, I would rather just believe the lie.
Thats my way of staying happy. :-)