He always text me early in the morning to make sure I ate breakfast. If I didn't, he would drop food off or order me something from Uber Eats.
He would ask how my day went. He genuinely listened and bought small thoughtful gifts to put a smile on my face or to help me get through rough times.
He didn’t run when I talked about my emotions. He supported them and offered ways to help cope.
We had deep and meaningful conversations right from the start.
We talked about our standards and expectations up front. We did not hold back.
We let it be known that we were looking for a lifelong partner and if one or the other wasn't on board, then this was not it.
He catered to me (made dinner, cleaned my house, showered me with love and affection).
He put God at the forefront of our relationship and helped me mend my relationship with Him.
He mediated with me.
He already went through his personal healing journey and was there to support me fully with mine. Learning me, teaching me, guiding me every step of the way.
He made me a priority and he went out of his way to come see me several times a day.
He knew I was healing from a recent breakup and said he just wanted the opportunity to show up daily and allow me to see how a real man treated a woman.
I always believed a man like this existed but I never opened myself up to it. I put up walls and protected myself from being hurt by choosing partners that would never choose me or want to marry me. Those were subconsciously safe to me. Opening myself up meant being vulnerable. And being vulnerable meant showing your weaknesses. And I couldn't show my weaknesses to a partner because that would mean that they would use those against me. But in doing so I closed the most intimate parts of me off to a partner that could bring out the best in me.
It took me 43 years to figure out that the walls I built protected me and hindered me all at the same time. It kept me from finding true love. Today I'm so very glad to say that this man has taken the time to break those walls down because he saw my true beauty. And I am a very blessed woman to be able to experience a love like this.
It does exist. Even though people told me I lived in a fairy tale mindset. I knew it was possible because I existed. And I just wanted the same love that I poured into others to be poured into me. It wasn't easy at first. But it was well worth the minimal discomfort to experience a lifetime of peace.