Can a Friendship Turn Romantic?

I had a conversation with a friend over the weekend who said she hates using dating apps. She prefers to get to know someone as a friend first, and then see if it turns into something romantic.

I commented how that feels exactly opposite of my experience. For me, when someone is a friend, you don't want to muck it up by adding a romantic dimension to the relationship. It's why people have labeled it the "friend zone." My friend said she finds it much easier to ask out someone she already has built trust with. And I said that I would find it much more awkward to do so.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced a friendship turned romantic? If so, how did it happen? Because sorry, I just can't get my mind around it.