What should I do?😬

Known this super sweet guy for yearsss and we’ve always been good friends. He’s SO sweet and caring and he would never do anything to upset or harm me. He’s a complete sweetheart. I wanted to try after all these years and see if maybe I could date him because I completely love him as a person..... I’ve been trying for the past couple weeks hanging out with him and going to see him a lot. Then he kissed me......... I automatically wanted it to stop and was sooooo uncomfortable and awkward. Not him forcing it but just me. The thought of kissing him again makes me wanna get sick honestly hahahq. HOWEVER My mom and my friends tell me I should stick it out and keep trying to make myself kiss him and that he’ll GROW on me because he’s so good to me . I want to drop him. What should I do???