When I had a total mental breakdown and lashed out a bit (trauma thing, wasn't used to feeling safe, tried to sabotage everything) and he patiently hugged me and held my hands and helped me breathe and calm down. I don't think I'd ever felt that safe in any other point in my life. I still get overwhelmed and cry a lot sometimes and he's still as patient as ever, and I will say that I am definitely better than I was when we first got together, I'm lucky to have him!

Pretty quickly, probably within a month or so of meeting him. I imagined kids and marriage and everything else.

But that doesn’t mean it’s actually going to last for the rest of your life because people change. We were together 12 years and I saw forever until one day I didn’t.

We are divorced now. Not trying to be a downer it’s just that life has a way of not going according to plan! And that’s ok! I get people have a habit of saying “I just knew” but because I’m older now, I realize it takes a while to really know someone and to decide if the relationship is actually going to serve you long term.

It’s easy to “just know” when things are easy and perfect early on, if you still “just know” when the real hard stuff hits and it’s no longer perfect and exciting, then that’s a better tell of longevity.

I knew I wanted to marry her and live with her forever etc, but it was a real lightbulb moment for me when I was eating a really yummy burrito, and she asked for a bite, and I absolutely made sure she got a good bite with all the fixins and not a crappy bite that was mostly tortilla. I just had never felt that kind of like....selfless love in every little moment I guess? 10 years later, happily married, with one child :)

I began to love myself more because of how he treats me. Constantly uplifting, supportive, kind. Also my nervous system is extremely calm when i’m with him, so much so being around him makes me sleepy!

He spoke on the phone and it felt familiar, like I knew him from a past life.

That man makes the heavy things that life throws at me so much lighter. He loves the qualities in me that I think are the worst. He remains loving, kind and does everything without complaints or everyday thank yous from day one. My life felt/feels better with him than without him. He’s my home and safe space!

I felt safe to be myself with him.

I did not want to be with anyone else. He felt like home.

Before we even got together. I met my husband at 15 and told my gfs I’d marry him (half jokingly) … but damn, 29 years later, here we are. 

When I fell asleep on him. There were lots of little things, but this one yelled "you're safe".

I was at his apartment towards the end of a party- generally hyper vigilant and oversensitive parasympathetic nervous system. Always failed at sleepovers, barely slept unless I was in a room alone etc, even with previous boyfriends I've felt safe enough around.

Anyway, probably 8-10 people in the room, and I fell asleep on him. I thought I was sure before. Even wanted him to be my forever before we even started dating. But after that night I started actually seeing that future. Considered what our child might look like, all that gooey stuff

I was 21? We've been married a decade now and together for 13 years

After my divorce, I realized I was free to stay up late reading if I wanted, eat crackers in bed if I wanted to, talk to friends, enjoy music I liked, not have to defend myself constantly, have a calm home, not have to rehome my dog because he wanted a purebred, make my own financial decisions, decorate my house without constant criticism, and not walk on eggshells constantly. I may not fully love me/myself/and I, but I know she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

A handful of months into dating, one day I was walking his dog while he was at work and this romantic song came on my AirPods by one of my favorite artists and I just had an automatic thought that it would be a great wedding song for us. We hadn’t even said I love yous yet!

And last year I did walk down the aisle to him to that very song!!

When I could crumble and cry, I never felt judged or rushed to heal or stop being emotional. I was able to be vulnerable with him. I used to have brick walls around me, but he made me feel safe and loved enough to let him see the parts of me I don’t show to the world. He helped me gently nurse all those feelings away, no matter how long it took. He naturally brought out my inner child; every time I hugged him, I could feel everything escape me, replaced by a rush of comfort

When we were in college and I opened up to him about what my family was like, and he opened my eyes to the fact that I wasn't overly sensitive, they were just abusive as hell

After dealing with my toxic ex trying to make my life a living hell, I developed severe anxiety and stress that landed me in the hospital and he (my roommate and coworker) never left my side. Made sure I ate when I developed an ED, had switched my medication to a different location when my store was out, worked from home while I was mentally and physically unwell, kept my mom updated on everything, and never made me feel less than for any of it. He did it all with a smile on his face and love in his heart. We’ve been together a year and a half now after I swore up and down I’d never date a coworker, but I see my forever with him and couldn’t be any happier :)

This dad passed away and he went home for the funeral which was 2 hours away, and I stayed because I worked weekdays plus sat.

Felt an uncontrollable pull to go to him that Saturday, and drove the two hours after work (a drive that at the time was astronomical to me), and continued to communite to and from there for work through the duration of the funeral.

I knew when I felt that pull that I wanted to be with him through everything.

When I preferred him being around instead of enjoying a few hours of alone time. It's still an odd feeling.

Our “second first date”.

Ok so the date itself was pretty run of the mill. We went to the French quarter to get dinner and the second we set foot in the restaurant it started pouring down raining. A New Orleans torrential downpour. We ate, had a drink, had another, no end in sight. We’re standing at the entrance and he said let’s go get another drink. I pointed out the obvious weather conditions and he said “then we’ll get wet” with this look in his eyes that I couldn’t say no to. So we ran across the street, got a drink, listened to so music, ran next door, had a drink, and on and on and on until we were like 6 blocks away.

We’re at a bar listening to a band and he goes to the bathroom. On his way back he walks across the dance floor, grabs this older woman by the hand, spins her, dips her backwards, she kissed him on the cheek and he just walked back to our table like that was normal for him. I was all in. The charm radiating off of him was irresistible. It’s only been 8 years but I knew he was the one for me almost 20 years ago when we were 17.

Sorry it was kinda long

about 10 years after we met for the first time (in the schoolyard).

about 2.5 days after we re-connected as adults. the classical best-friends-to-lovers story here.

Soon after becoming exclusive. I realised how much he cares about me. He’s my favourite pillow. He’s the only person I could talk to forever and not get sick of. I always can’t wait to see him. Time passes by so quickly when we’re together and so slowly when we’re apart.

When I kissed him the first time, while we were not dating. I liked him, our coworker managed to help me get him to tutor me, and we were watching a TV show (I think family guy) on his laptop and idk, someone we made out. And I immediately knew I was going to fall in love with him. Then the night he told me he loved me after I spilled my guts about my family history. And he's been amazing ever since. 💜

During our first official break as a young couple I realized that even I was not with him, I’d be willing to live with heartache if we could still be friends and I could have him in my life. Then I realized it wasn’t the idea of a romantic partner, it was him I always wanted.

Our first date.

We spent five months talking and getting to know each other. Our conversation on our first date matched up to the months of talking. My best friend ended up at the same restaurant and he invited her to sit down with us and have a drink. I felt safe with him. I went home and texted her and my sister and said this is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.

And he has proven my faith in him every single day for the last 19 years.

I knew immediately, he made me feel warm, heard, safe, made me laugh, and asked meaningful questions.

On our very first date it felt like I’d always known him, like a continuation rather than something new. I’d never felt so comfortable with someone. It also helped that he consistently reassures me that he loves me even when I’m being insufferable

When I was sick with a horrible sinus infection that started spreading to my ears as an ear infection, and I couldn’t hold my head up/walk, and he ran me a hot bath, almost carried me to the bathroom, made me hot tea, and massaged my neck while sitting in the bath feeling like death. Thats when I knew.

Really quickly. He was easy to talk to and I felt like I could be myself around him more than anyone else I'd ever been with. I don't know how to describe it other than we were on the same wavelength. I'm not the only one who saw it, either -- my sister and my friend both said right after they met him that we were going to get married.

It's only been a month and a half since we reconnected. But I have this feeling he is it. We were friends 6 years ago and lost touch for a while, recently reached back out and it turns out we are genuinely perfect for eachother in every way. We ended up growing in the exact same direction. I knew we were compatible when friends but neither of us were in a place to have a fully actualized love. But yeah he's it.

I hope to one day experience this :(

My partner went away for a few days. I did my work, had fun, saw friends.

I had a great time and in that moment I could see a clear picture of what my life would look like if I was single. It looked like a good life, one I could definitely be happy in.

But I couldn’t help myself from thinking i wish he was here. I’d so much rather spend my life with him. My life is so much better with him in it.

Somehow, realising I’d be fine on my own, was the first time I knew for sure that I was choosing him because I really, truly, love HIM, and not because i didn’t have another option or another vision for my life.

It might sound silly but we were young and I was traumatised when we met, so it was a big moment for me.

We met July, and in November I was writing in my journal about how I wanted to have his tall babies. I knew so quick. My nervous system just switched off with him, as someone who’s been in fight or flight since in diapers, meeting him was a breath of fresh air. I could finally pause. I could stay. I could enjoy each and every moment. He changed my life. He just let me be myself. I found myself rediscovering parts of myself I’d lost as a child, I started enjoying things again, I started singing, I started dancing, I started living.

After the third date. I had my guard up from being put through the wringer with dating last summer. Met him and was reserved the first three dates, but leaving the third one I surrendered and let myself allow him in. It’s only been about 2 1/2 months but we’ve covered more ground and have grown personally more than ever. I feel safe with him, he puts me at ease, loves me how I’ve always wanted to be loved, shows up for me time and time again, and our chemistry is OUTSTANDING, and the best is he accepts and cherishes all the love I give to him. It’s a beautiful partnership and I want nothing more than the spend my life with him (which, we talk about, a lot).

About six months in when I got food poisoning and he showed up at 2am with Gatorade and sat with me while I was puking. Wasn't some romantic moment, just realized he actually gave a shit about me even when I was disgusting and miserable.

We were 19/20 years old when we started dating. As we launched into adulthood, the two of us tackled life as a team right from the start. It made that time in our lives so much easier, because neither of us had to do it alone. We’ve always had each other for support. Together, we tackled every hurdle that life threw at us. Even when the tough relationship issues came up, it was always us against the problem.

Twenty years later, we still talk about how lucky we were to have that.

But if I had to pinpoint a specific situation that really proved to me that we could last, it was about three years into our relationship. He made a friend who happened to be a woman. I recognized I was having some shitty jealous feelings and it made me feel like crap. I told him how I was feeling and made sure he knew that I didn’t expect him to stop being friends with her. At the same time, I needed help. He suggested introducing us. All it took was one bottle of wine and she quickly became one of my best friends. He and I were in the wedding party when she got married.

I’ll never forget how he handled that situation. He just wanted to understand and help, without judgement, resentment, and defensiveness. It set the tone for future issues because we both saw how willing we were to approach vulnerable and confusing times like that with compassion, kindness, and a desire to understand.

i wanna know this too

I knew fast. It felt different when I was around him. He felt like another half to me, he felt like home, and I knew he was someone I wanted to keep in my life the day I met him.

He’s seen me at my worst and still loves me like he did at the beginning 🥹💗

It felt natural. I could be my true self. I did not worry that if we disagreed on something that we would break up. I felt secure. We had the same life goals (no kids, buy a house, have dogs and travel).

The day my dog had to be tragically put down, he made me some popcorn because he knew I needed to eat but I couldn't really stomach anything "real". He also was able to make me laugh that day. I'll never forget that.

The moment I met him.

I was in the neuro ICU for a few days due to being in seizures for 26 hours straight. He came and just held my hand. I gave him an out. Told him if I was too much I wouldn’t blame him or harbor anger against him if he walked out right then. I was gross and my health is very unreliable (I had not eaten in 3 days, was covered in bruises from Ivs and bloodwork and my hair was gross because i had not showered in 3-4 days) . He turned to me and told me I was beautiful and that he wasn’t going anywhere. That is the moment I knew we would be together for life… the first time it crossed my mind that he may be the one was our second date when he carried a lawn chair for me so we could hike as I couldn’t walk far without needing to rest and couldn’t do inclines and he didn’t want me to have to sit on the ground… he has also since then carried me to places so I can experience them with him. Gosh I love this man.

When i was falling asleep and he was talking to me saying he loved me, and he would never hurt me. I felt so safe and i felt so happy. I kinda knew way sooner i wanted to be with him forever but after that moment i really realized it

I haven’t but I will when they are supportive in the highs and lows

Cause whenever I look at him, I see paradise.

I had a good relationship with a guy in college. We were dating for 4 years and I thought I might marry him. He met my friends, even met my mom once and he was so sweet to everyone, even to animals, workers, servers etc. He even worked part time for charities.

But then he dumped me all of a sudden. What hurt most was that my boyfriend at high school dumped me like that too. I could never trust any man again.

When I finally felt like it was safe to be my genuine self without having to be accused of anything. I was unfortunately presenting with side effects from being in an abusive environment for so long and instead of abandoning me or telling me it was my problem to deal with, he talked me threw it wanting to better understand how to help me next time. I was 100% sure when I didn't have a panic attack finding out I was pregnant despite neither of us wanting kids. We were going to handle this together no matter what.

He was my best friend Senior year of high school. Pined over him throughout community college.

One day, I had a really terrible thing happen the night before, and I was explaining it while he was walking me to class, feeling hurt and ashamed. Right before we got to the door of my building, he put down his bag and enveloped me into a huge hug. He said he loved me that day. I knew then that I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, honestly.

I'd have similar moments where we'd be in the car with friends and we'd sing together, and I'd get this huge rush of pure love. He taught me to play pool. Some days felt like a romantic comedy of two people who were just too scared to admit they were in love. He was physically affectionate but always so respectful.

The day I confessed, I said that I had loved him for years. I can't see myself with anyone else.

When my son started asking if he could pick him up for “pizza days” which later developed into “I can’t wait till we can say goodnight and not goodbye” after we’d head home on Sunday nights 🥺

Within 6 months, we got married 7 years after we started dating. He knew pretty early on too, but we started dating in high school, and he was determined to pay for the wedding and ring himself

My (now) wife told me she loved me for months and I didn’t want to say it until I really knew I felt the same. I had never been in love before. I responded “thank you”. She continued to say it and mean it every time.

Realllllyy quick. Our second date lasted 10 hours, and not once did I want him to leave or think I’d be better off at home. I am a very independent person, so that feeling was a strong indicator. Now, 4 years later, I still get butterflies, and I cannot believe I lived my early twenties without my teammate and best friend.

When I was having a mental health crisis and crying with my parents, at some point I just cried out “I wish he was here”. I realized I felt totally safe to be myself with him, even in my lowest

Get ready for a long read...

I got kicked out of my house at 18. Screaming match with mom. Only allowed to take things that I purchased myself (which was extremely little at the time - I'm talking next-to-no underwear or socks) in a garbage bag. Phone taken away; permitted only 1 call to family before being told to sit on the curb and hope someone came to help me.

I had been dating my boyfriend for 5 months at the time. I was CERTAIN that this was the end of us. I felt humiliated. Who would ever want to deal with all this crazy so soon into a relationship - nonetheless for forever.

He did.

He came to visit me at my hoarder aunt's home, where I lived while I was kicked out.

He talked to me every day - in whatever way we could manage be it a quick call from my aunt's phone or an Instagram message from my kid cousin's ipad. He FaceTimed me every night, when I was struggling with anxiety and depression, and often was the only thing to lull me to sleep.

He took me shopping for clothes using the money he earned as a summer lifeguard. (He surprised me with fun socks in the shape of cats, my favorite animal, to start.) When I had to borrow his clothes, he always treated me so tenderly and told me how cute I looked.

He invited me to stay at his family home for days and weeks on end, so that I felt comfortable again. His family quickly adopted me into their regular traditions like watching Top Chef together, sharing family dinners, and taking walks around the neighborhood together with their pets.

In the throws of it all, I failed out of my conditional admission college program. When the university miraculously gave me a second chance, he was my biggest and best supporter. He lended me his laptop to finish my coursework on. He set up a work station in his home for me to use, away from the obstructions at my aunts house. He secretly contacted my friends in the program for any updates they had on re-admissions decisions. He was on reddit seeking advice from previous program graduates on my behalf.

Despite all the chaos, he did his best to make my life not only bearable but magical. He took me to stargaze, my favorite pasttime. He took me to the arboretum, which I had never seen before. Best of all, he contacted my 3 best friends from high school (whom he had never met & who lived in 3 different states at the time) and threw me a surprise 19th birthday party-picnic at the lake with them. My parents made no effort to reach out that day; they wanted me to hurt. But he threw me the best birthday I have ever had. And for the first time in a long time, I was happy.

Fast forward to now, we've been together for 6 years. He's a senior automotive engineer. I'm in law school, studying child welfare. We have a cat together whom we love dearly. We've talked in some detail about getting married in the near future. (This year especially he has made a good amount of hints about saving up for an engagement ring and knowing that I would want a grand gesture sort of proposal. He has told me he's in the earliest stages of planning but to count on it! <3) I cannot wait to marry this man! I've known he's my forever since summer of 2020!

In the hospital right after our first child (2/10 yrs in)

We aren’t together now but I still feel the same.

I was really into nightlife and drinking. Before him any of the guys I dated either drank way too much and annoyed me or tried to slow me down which I also hated. When I met my now fiance, he didn’t drink at all or party. Yet somehow I had so much fun with him all the time it was like a breath of fresh air. I ended up just naturally stopping drinking and partying on my own. I used to hate being at home and felt like it was a waste of my life. Now I have so much fun with him even sitting at home lol. I still get excited every time I get home and get to see him.

About four days. For both of us. I was backpacking in Australia. We had a serious conversation after 7 days, are you in? Or are you out.. ? Because one of us has to move continents, and I couldn’t tolerate the heartbreak if we weren’t committed to the good thing we had. I found him across the sea, and he travelled across the ocean for me and a life in Canada. 26 years later, we’re still besties.

A little after he met he just looked at me in the car and told me I was his favorite. Melted my heart. I knew he wanted to say I love you but he didn’t, because we were only together a few weeks at that point. But I already knew it too.

My husband and I got pregnant 3 months into dating. We saw the positive test at the same time. I cried and ran into the other room. He consoled me and told me everything was going to be okay. Then he made me my favorite cake to celebrate.

I knew that minute that he was the one. 2.5 years later he is still my safe haven, my protector, and love of my life. We had our baby boy and recently got married.

I’ve never heard my husband raise his voice or lose his temper. The most patient and kind man I’ve ever known.

I dunno… after maybe a year or two of dating him. And I was just like.. yeah I want this forever and I’d pick you over anybody in the world every day.

It's more of a feeling I have than a specific event that happened that felt like a lightbulb moment

It hit me like a brick that I had to marry this man and keep him forever.

We were on holiday in Berlin, Germany - a city I was living in and I knew, but it was his second time ever there. He doesn't speak German while I do.

We were at a nightclub with friends and one moment I was OK, the next I was gone. I just remember laughing and being on the couch, the next moment waking up in bed in my apartment with bruises all over my legs. I never blackout, looking back I wonder if I was spiked.

In that moment when I woke up and saw him sleeping next to me, I realised that he had somehow got me home across a foreign city that he didn't know, when he isn't a tech savvy person and is still learning how to effectively use apps and mobiles, down the very steep stairs of the club, into a cab and up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment - alone, and then tucked me safely into bed.

I knew then that our engagement was right and I'd never let the man go ❤️ I feel so lucky to have a man who would do that for me.

In October 2026 we will have been together for 17 years ❤️

We have a friend who was writing a children's book with a major publisher and needed to go out of town for research. She hadn't gotten paid for the book yet and her family doesn't have a lot of money. He and I were living together at the time, and we decided to loan her my Prius for the trip so she could save on gas and wouldn't have to rent a car. We would carpool and use his car while she was away. Before I loaned it out, I wanted to get it checked up to make sure it was in good shape for a long road trip. I was talking to him about when we could drop it off at the shop and the logistics of that and I could tell it was stressing him out, so I just said, "You know what? This isn't a big deal. Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out or get a ride from someone else." He was already being so accommodating by agreeing to this plan in the first place and I didn't want to push my luck. I really thought I was doing him a favor, letting him off the hook. Instead, he looked at me like I had just kicked his puppy and said, "But ... we're a team."

Yeah, that's the moment I was completely gone.

It might sound simple, but it just made sense. When you know, you know.

I was like 17

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Not yet, I think. I think I'll have to wait a long time until I find a woman who accepts me as I am and loves the same preferences as me. It's really difficult to find a woman who loves feminization, pegging, and is gentle and affectionate. I usually don't find these characteristics in one woman.

Shortly before she broke up with me after seven years

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When I met my partner's dog and he immediately trusted me with her, then watched how gentle and patient he was teaching me about her routine without making me feel dumb for not knowing

We argued, and he kept holding me and play with my hair. I felt it, he was signaling ”I love you, even if I’m upset”. Shortly after that I presented him a promise ring and he started bawling his eyes out, saying yes.

Before we actually got together. I was still in school (as was he but different schools) and I’ve been battling ptsd for years. It got the best of me and I attempted suicide more than once. I ended up at the hospital bc my mom unfortunately came in the moment I tried to (happy she interrupted me, just unfortunate that she had to see that). While physically mostly okay she got me into a psych ward. I’m not sure on the right definition but basically where you’re watched 24/7 and a pretty much confided to a room. I wasn’t allowed any visitors there, besides my parents.

Was then transferred to a youth psych ward in a different hospital, where I did stay for multiple months. I had friends before, family I felt cared somewhat, but the only one who consistently showed up besides my mom (she’s a hero too!) was him. We weren’t even dating at that point. Back then I wasn’t even sure we were close when he started visiting. I told him everything I struggled with, what I’ve been through and that I’m really not the best option I guess. I told him multiple times I wasn’t interested not bc I actually wasn’t, but I didn’t want to pull him down with me. He didn’t pressure me, just constantly showed up when most of my ‘friends’ never did. No one was obligated to, but he still came every time he could. He listened and I felt seen. He saw me at my worst and still came back every time. He made me laugh when I thought I forgot how to. Genuinely laugh, not pretending to. After some time I noticed that I was looking forward to his visits more than anything else. I felt like there were good things too, that kind people exist. We started dating later that same year after I left the hospital. I initiated after we both thought we friend zoned the other. I definitely wasn’t ‘fixed’ at that point, but he was/ is a good motivation to become better. He stayed with me even though I was still severely depressed. He hold me when I said I couldn’t take it anymore, bc yes, relapses happen. I told him he didn’t need to be with me if he didn’t want to. That he didn’t need to fix me. But he wanted to and I’m so grateful he did. We’re going strong at almost ten years now. Things definitely aren’t perfect, but I feel like I can overcome anything now, bc he showed me that.

My last bf turned crazy and violent when breaking up, breaking the locked bathroom door when I tried to put distance between us. It was scary and shook me up. My now partner and I got together not long after and when I was touring his apartment I noted the bathroom door didn’t even have a lock. Internally I was freaking out and I mentioned it and he was just like “No biggie I’ll buy a lock and put one on for you”. I felt so safe after that comment and ever since.

I had a major confirmation moment that I was deeply connected to him, weirdly enough while I was unconscious! I met him on Reddit, we talked for a few months, I moved across the country, we met in person for the first time at the airport, and then had emergency surgery about 3 days into moving in. It was extremely fast, way too fast but I think we may be an exception. I grew up abused, never feeling safe with anyone. The nurses told me that the first thing I said when I woke up from the anesthesia was his name, and asking for him. Not my parents, not my siblings or my grandma- even subconsciously, unconscious and so out of it that I don’t remember- it felt like my soul knew I was safe with him.

There’s been many more moments these past 6 years that have confirmed it. But this was the first rare confirmation from an external source lol and internal I guess too. I think it reaffirmed that I made the right choice, that this wasn’t just a fling or infatuation from a new relationship.

It was the first time he kissed me. We had been dating for a week or two and he walked me to my car and kissed me on the cheek and then bashfully scurried away. I was giggling and I couldn't help but think Im gonna marry this man. Almost 13 years later and we are still smitten!

After 25 yrs I knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with him. Better late than never

When she brings me joy just by being near me. When the sound of her voice soothes my stress. When I couldn’t imagine a life without her. When I’d sacrifice my own needs to ensure she is happy. When seeing her smile and being with her is truly what makes me happy. I felt this way after just a few weeks of dating. After 20 years of marriage, I still feel the same.

Ngl, it was when he remembered my coffee order like a week after I told him. I was like okay, he pays attention frfr

Me and my boyfriend have been together for 6.5 months now. I'm not saying that I know for sure if we'll get married, but I can say that I have never felt so safe to be myself with somebody. It definitely hasn't been perfect and I've had to have some conversations with him about what I need from him and ways that he hurt me without knowing. It's also shown me that I have some work to do in myself on patience and understanding (I was wanting all of his time and that's simply not possible). Also realizing that as much as I would like him to, he can't read my mind. So I've started being more direct and vocal about what I want and I've seen an improvement.

I want to see him happy and I have the desire to take care of him, even down to buying his favorite drinks for when he comes over. I give him the last bite of the sushi roll when we split it (even though I really do want it sometimes lol). We're going on a few trips this year and I'm really excited to see where we go from here!

We had just started dating. It was our third date and I suddenly became super ill, like stomach flu norovirus type illness. I was embarrassed and went home thinking he would never want to see me again. But I got a text the next morning to check my front door if I could and he had left a care package for me on my doorstep with crackers, pedialyte, medicine and other comfort items. The fact he did it without asking, did not expect me to see him when I looked like absolute hell, and just left a note saying looking forward to our next date. I was like - yep marrying this man. Done and done.

I felt so relaxed in his presence. He never made me feel pressure or rushed he was calm and loving and reassuring. Nothing was ever hard or forced. I found myself laughing and being silly for the first time in years. He made me feel beautiful and all the flaws that other people seemed to want to cover up or hide he wanted to shine a spotlight on it. He’s my biggest fan. Always pushes me to try things I’m unsure or timid about. I knew really early on. It scared me a little because I was afraid I’d get left heartbroken. It’ll be 4 years in May.

not yet

When I realized that being with her has been the first time in my life I’ve felt completely comfortable being 100% myself. When I looked into her eyes and realized I’d never truly felt love before that moment. It felt like everything I’d ever been through had to have happened to shape me into the version of me that could make her happy. Suddenly I had no regrets, nothing but hope for the future and a persistent comfort that everything would be okay now.

When I was 17 and my dad kicked me out leaving me homeless and he asked his folks if I could move in and they took me in as a daughter. He’s been supportive and loving ever since. I’m so thankful for him and everything he’s ever done for me.