I’ve always tried to be realistic when it comes to love. I made it a point to recognize that the guys I dated wouldn’t always be on the same page as me, and it often left me feeling disappointed, but not very surprised. Everything changed when I met you. You totally altered my perspective on what I should expect from a relationship.
- I realized I’d never had so much in common with someone. It never fails to amaze me how you can meet my sarcasm with an even wittier sarcastic comment. It didn’t take long at all for me to realize just how similar our likes and dislikes were, and it made getting to know you that much easier.
- I felt like I could be honest with you from the beginning. I had a little crush on you before we went out for the first time, so I knew what I wanted from the very start. It turns out you did too, because before the night was through, we were setting up our second date. I figured if I was honest and told you how I felt at the outset, I’d know for sure how you felt about me.
- I never experienced any FOMO. It only took a few days before we made things official, and I don’t have any regrets. The fun times we have together erase any shadow of a doubt that I may be missing something outside of our relationship. It also helps that you’ve never been the jealous type. If I’m in need of a girls’ night out, you never guilt trip me or hold me back. Why would I have a fear of missing out when I have a great guy like you by my side to experience life with?
- I wasn’t afraid of settling down with you. I was only 22 when we got together, and I definitely didn’t have my act together at the time. While everything was changing around me, you were a constant supportive presence in my life. Moving in together and adopting a few pets seemed like an obvious next step rather than a scary leap.
- My trust issues flew out the window. My ex-boyfriends have given me all the reasons in the world to have trust issues. By default, I was a little jealous in the beginning, but you were patient with me and respected my feelings. It didn’t take long at all to realize you were in this relationship for all the right reasons, and all the doubt I ever had quickly slipped away.
- I’ve never felt so confident. Being with other men in the past that always felt the need to drag me down wreaked havoc on my self-confidence. I had a horrible habit of nit-picking my physical appearance and never felt like I was good enough. You did so much more than pepper me with the typical “you’re so beautiful” comments at the beginning of our relationship. You were my biggest cheerleader when I decided to make healthy changes in my life, and you struggled right alongside me. From the moment we began dating, you instilled a confidence in me that I hadn’t felt for years.
- I’ve never been with someone that cared so much about my future. When I decided to go back to further my education, you studied with me and made me dinner when I’d come home from a long day of work and school. When I started to suspect I had mental health issues, you made me feel confident in my decision to make a few doctor’s appointments. You’ve always supported me and steered me in the right direction, and I’ve never been with someone who was so invested in my future.
- I felt respected, even during fights. You and I aren’t perfect. Silly arguments happen, but you never resort to tearing me down like men in my past used to do. When we first got together, it was almost strange how you approached arguments with me. The idea of working through every issue as a team was foreign, but so refreshing.
- I never looked back. I’ve never been so naive to think that I’d find the perfect person, but I always found myself comparing my current boyfriends to the last and wondering if I’d made a mistake. Since you and I started dating, the only time I think about my past is to remind myself how lucky I am in the present. The men I’ve been with before didn’t bring me nearly as much love and happiness as you did from the very start.
- You’ve never made me wonder about our future. As the years go by, I don’t worry that you and I will settle into a boring, monotonous routine. It doesn’t matter if we opt for a night in with a bottle of wine or hop on a flight to Mexico — I know I’ll have you by my side, and I’ve never been more sure of anything.
