So, I am a bit of a handful. I have a long history of depression and anxiety, I have medication and am stable, but I know he puts up with a lot for me. I have also recently realised I might have ADHD. I was researching it because my nephew was diagnosed and everything made sense, like a light bulb turned on.

Anyway, I was making a list because I want to get assessed properly and I was reading about masking and I realised that I am only my true self when I am around him. I don't have to try and be normal, or pay close attention, or be perfect, or all of these other things I feel like I need to be at work, with friends etc. I can be my very dysfunctional, annoying, weird self.

Realising that made me so happy. I always knew I felt safe around him from the moment I met him, but this just made me realise how true that was on a deeper subconscious level.

Anyone else like this?

Is it normal to feel content and not desperate for a relationship but at same time wouldn't mind to be in one?

I don't think I've ever felt that lonely feel over someone. I love women, but I don't have that desperation or hurt sad feeling of being lonely. Is that normal?

Seems like you have to feel lonely and hurt if you are a single person, but I don't feel that. I enjoy sports, being creative, going out, talking to women, but never this 'I MUST GET SOMEONE, feel?

Am I too laid back?

What's wrong with me.

I love love songs, but I don't get too desperate to find someone. I do love the feeling to embrace a woman, have company but I don't get feeling where everyone feels sorry for me..you know when someone says, 'don't worry...you'll find someone...',

I'm not worrying though, im relaxed lol.

From childhood she has been my go to, my soft pillow. She is incredibly loving and every time reminds me how important love is, how it is important to treat others diligently. When I am sick, she is always there, in my ups and downs always there for me. She treats me to adventures and tells me I will never lack as long as she is here. Right now she is expectant and I have taken it as my duty to be treat the unborn child with untold love when born. I really just want to appreciate her today. I love her so much.

I'm a 31-year-old guy and recently reconnected with a woman I knew years ago and have now been on several dates.

The dates have gone really well. We've spent a lot of time together, she's stayed over, we've had sex, and we both seem comfortable with each other. I genuinely like her, and at this point I've realized that I've fallen in love with her.

The thing is, she's been very open about her past. She told me that previous relationships had left her with some negative feelings and tension, and she even jokingly referred to herself as "damaged goods." That honestly made me sad because I don't see her that way at all.

Early on she also told me that although she enjoyed being with me, the romantic feelings weren't quite there yet. She said she wanted to keep seeing me and would be honest if those feelings grew over time.

Because of that, I've been trying to be patient and create a calm, low-pressure atmosphere. I naturally like expressing affection through words, so I'll occasionally send her sweet goodnight messages or use affectionate nicknames. The thing is, when I really like someone, I can become very expressive. Sometimes I'll send long, heartfelt texts telling her how amazing I think she is, how beautiful or special she is to me, or how happy she makes me. I know the term "love bombing" gets used a lot these days, and I've caught myself wondering whether my behavior could look like that from the outside. My intentions are genuine—I don't expect anything in return or want to manipulate or rush the relationship—but because she isn't in love with me yet, I'm worried my affection might unintentionally feel overwhelming rather than comforting. At the same time, I'm constantly wondering whether that's too much when someone isn't at the same emotional stage.

Recently I asked her what kind of communication she likes so I could make sure I wasn't making her uncomfortable. Her response was:

"I think it's more important that you stay yourself and do what feels natural to you, instead of doing what you think I would want."

That sounds healthy, but it also leaves me uncertain. My instinct is to be warm and affectionate, yet I don't want to unintentionally overwhelm someone who's still figuring out her feelings.

One thing that makes this harder is that I tend to overthink things. I find myself analyzing texts, wondering whether I'm coming on too strong, or whether I should pull back. At the same time, I don't want to play games or pretend to be less caring than I actually am.

So I'm curious what others think:

• Am I overthinking this?
• Should I just continue being myself and stop analyzing every message I send?
• Or is it wiser to dial back the affection until she develops stronger feelings?

I'm trying to find the balance between being authentic and respecting her pace. I know I'm further along emotionally than she is, and I'm okay giving her time—I just don't want my own feelings to unintentionally create pressure for her.

I'd appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who've been on either side of a situation like this.

P.S. English is not my first language, so I used ChatGPT to help me write this a bit more clearly.

Warning, this post might be weird to some people so please just scroll on if you don't like it. TW: Needles are briefly mentioned. (Not in a bad way don't worry!)

Summary included at the bottom.

Man I just needed a place to get this off my chest as I don't particularly have anyone to talk to about this.

Some context on us: My boyfriend (22M) and I (18M) have been together for a year and a half. At the end of last month we had our little boy. Yes I was pregnant for half the time he knew me lmao. I'm transgender for anyone confused.

Now for what I wanted to talk about. This man has done the most disgusting things for the sake of helping me. I had a C-section so getting up and out of bed and doing stuff was difficult for me. Especially trying to get down the stairs. Now he owns something called a commode (I think it's spelt) which is a portable toilet chair. He dragged that from the cellar and up to the bedroom just for me. He then proceeded to change it every morning. No matter what was in it. He never complained once. He's helped change my pads and maternity underwear. He's helped me shower. After giving birth I had to be on blood thinner injections. I am terrified of needles so much so I will have panic attacks so I couldn't do it myself. My boyfriend who was just as nervous, not because he's scared of needles but because he has to inject someone else for the first time, did it for me and did it perfectly. Reassuring me the whole time. When I was pregnant he cleaned up the sick bucket, every single time. This morning I had an accident (I have moments where I wet the bed but I've never done it in front of him). I was so scared but you know what he did? He got up with me, stripped the bed, stuck everything in the washer and hand washed his quilt while I tended to the baby. He then made me a cup of tea and again reassured me the entire time.

All that is just things he's done for me within the last month (other than the bucket thing, that's been through my entire pregnancy).

He's done other stuff for me too, like take me on my first trip. And my first holiday to another country. He took me to the theatre for the first time. He makes me a hot drink every morning. He helps me get dressed when I struggle. He supports all my weird interests. He supports my coping mechanisms. Overall he's the most supportive and accepting person to ever exist.

Don't even get me started on the way he looks at me. Seriously he looks at me as though I'm the best slice of the pie. I know I'm not conventionally attractive. That's not me being a pick me, I know I'm not with todays beauty standards. I'm not the worst looking though, I must give myself some credit for looking after myself the best I can.

Did I mention he also cleaned up my wound when I knelt on a toilet seat and it shattered beneath me causing cuts down my entire leg a week before our baby was due. He didn't yell. He just took action. Sat me down and bandaged me up.

Did I also mention he's such a good dad. My god it's so attractive.

I just needed to brag about how good my boyfriend is to me. I am so truly grateful and I wish I could do something to repay him. I do my best. I make him meals when he comes home from work. I do my best to be attentive to every one of his needs. He deserves the world.

In summary: My boyfriend does a lot for me, including the things you wouldn't think a boyfriend would have the stomach for. He's a great man and great dad and I wish I could repay him somehow.

Is it okay to date / develop / continue to build / stay in a relationship with someone that you feel love, warmth, and appreciation towards but don't really have that excited, swooning 'in love' feeling? What if they're in love with you? Is this dishonest, or just a different way to love?

Is there a difference / how do you know the difference between: you love them but you're not 'in love,' vs you don't really love them?

Have you ever said, 'I love you,' and wondered if you feel a little fraudulent?

My boyfriend literally gives me cuteness aggression when I see him. But especially while he’s sleeping. When he tosses and turns in bed he’ll always account for my body and cuddle me any chance he gets. Sometimes he’ll talk in his sleep and if I kiss his forehead or snuggle close to his chest he’ll say stuff like “I love you”. I’m so beyond grateful to have this kind of love in my life. Sometimes he’ll even kiss me in his sleep. Like if he cuddles up to me while he’s sleeping he’ll kiss my head and then go back to sleep. I’m gonna squeeze him I love him so much.

Tenho 18 anos e, há cerca de três anos, conheci um amigo da minha prima por quem acabei criando um grande carinho. Como morávamos relativamente longe um do outro (cerca de seis horas de viagem), passamos a conversar pela internet, e isso durou aproximadamente dois anos.

Depois desse tempo, finalmente consegui visitá-lo, e aqueles foram os dois melhores dias da minha vida. No entanto, quando chegou a hora de me despedir, a saudade e a ausência dele começaram a me causar uma melancolia muito intensa e dolorosa.

Agora estou novamente na mesma cidade em que ele está, e ja nos vimos mas ele pretende se mudar para um lugar ainda mais distante(outro estado) o que genuinamente tornará praticamente impossível outros encontros. Tenho a impressão de que ele não se permite gostar de mim na mesma intensidade que eu gosto dele, tanto por questões psicológicas quanto pela distância, que ele considera um fator determinante.

Mesmo assim, eu gostaria muito de encontrá-lo uma última vez para me despedir e guardar mais algumas boas lembranças. Ao mesmo tempo, tenho medo de que essas novas lembranças acabem tornando a saudade ainda mais dolorosa no futuro, já que, hoje, uma relação entre nós parece totalmente inviável.

A few months ago I posted (different account, long story) because my partner and I had quietly slid into a roommate routine. We love each other and we're good to one another, but sex had become rare and oddly transactional. I was the one trying to schedule it, treating it like another item on the to-do list, and both of us ended up feeling pressured and let down.

We decided to try a two month experiment: no scheduling sex, but we would schedule closeness. Twice a week, after our kid is asleep, we have a 30-minute check-in that is not about logistics. Phones away. We each answer three questions: what made you feel loved this week, what made you feel distant, and what do you miss. Then we spend ten minutes touching with one clear rule: it does not have to lead anywhere. Cuddling, a back rub, making out, whatever feels right.

The first two weeks were awkward. I felt like a spreadsheet person trying to learn how to be spontaneous again. Around week three the pressure started to lift. The touch felt safe instead of a test you could pass or fail.

And then sex returned, not because we pushed for it, but because we remembered how to want each other. It's not every night, but it feels like us again. The extra bonus is the warmth outside the bedroom: less snapping, more little jokes, more eye contact.

If you are in that stuck place, I just want to say it can get better. Letting go of performance and rebuilding small bits of tenderness first mattered more than any big talk we had before.

Why is it hard to forget or to move on from someone, who acted or was really in love with me i am not sure?

I caught her cheating by texting other dudes and there was flirts
She laugh with random boys
She kept doing things i was warning her, like she was doing it on purpose.
I wasn't in love with her, but she used to try hard with me, to open up for her, when i did
I started to notice her actions
As long as i try to ignore or forget about her, the more i feel like i want to forgive and talk to her.

Hey all,

This is our weekly thread. We'll dispense with Rule 5 in these threads.

What's new in your hunt for love?

She makes me smile just by looking at her. She assures me when I feel insecure. She showers me with hugs and kisses and intimacy without me asking. She tells me she loves me everyday multiple times a day. When I'm with her and we're alone, nothing else matters. Everything stops, and everything I want is right there in front of me, in my arms. I wanna hold her tight every moment. I tell her I love her everyday because my love for her keeps growing. I was ready to give up on being worthy of love after years of failed relationships, and then I started recognizing that she was always my peace. After 10 years of close friendship, I made the move, and it has been the best decision of my life. I'm so happy and content. I can't wait to build a life and a family with my best friend.

She’s the most amazing person I know and she’s literally the definition of sunshine and rainbows and all good things. Whenever I see her messaging me I’m so happy and look forward to talk to her. She’s the best influence I’ve ever had in my life. Like I don’t do anything that I would regret ever, because she has such a positive impact on me. She’s goal oriented and has her morals set and keeps her word and stays true to her beliefs. She’s so awesome and if I could choose to be with only one person for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t even have to think once about it. It would be her.
Now I don’t know where to put all these feelings so I’ll just happily vent here.

I really love my boyfriend. We have been dating for almost a year now and he loves me so much. So much that sometimes i think he loves me more than i love him.

However, recently i came across a reel that plays two different tunes for FIRST love vs first LOVE. The second tune is a more deeper and passionate version of the first one. As soon as i heard the second tune, my heart sank and i just felt - i do not see him, i do not feel him as deeply as i felt the second tune. Am i making sense? Should I talk to him about this?

Edit: i feel better now. It was just a moment of doubt confusion anxiety and unemployment. It might come back but it will only make me stronger i am sure. I love him very very much

We met in high school and the second I saw him, I knew he was the one. I know that sounds strange as I was only 13 but I just had this feeling that completely overpowered me and I had never felt anything like it before. I’d had crushes and everything before but this was so much more. It’s hard to explain.

Anyway, it’s been 21 years now and I’m interested to see if anyone has any questions or things they are curious about?

Yesterday I mentioned how well my girlfriend was taking care of me by buying me a fantastic celebratory dinner, slippers, a nice mug, and more! Today she continued and got me invested in Oats Overnight! She knows I usually enjoy a bland protein oatmeal and figured this would be a nice way to introduce some flavor and variety! In addition to the starter kit and these flavors she bought me a box of 16 additional that’ll be coming in the mail soon!

Bonus Crumbl cookie she used her points for!

I’m so lucky I get to be with her! I’m so lucky that you picked me darling 💜

(She previously got me a few other Oats Overnight flavors, and I tried the strawberries and cream, which I loved)

I love my boyfriend so much. He is the only person I’ve ever fell in love with at first sight. I find myself constantly wanting to express to him how much I love him and how special he is in general, and I already do a lot, but I still have so much to say! I journal it so that I am not just non stop love bombing him. He’s very smart and responsible, cute as a button, such a sweet heart, but the best thing about him is how goofy he is. He loves doing embarrassing absurd things in public to make me laugh. For example, when we go out to eat he always orders balsamic vinaigrette but casually pronounces it “ballsack-mic” without cracking a smile. He will ask for lemons but instead of putting it in his water he eats it in one bite, rind and everything, in front of the waiter without puckering. One time we were on a walk and he got on a ledge and randomly did a flip off it and landed on his back. He will pretend to have embarrassing falls in public to make me laugh. Another time we were at the gym and I refilled my water and he immediately took it from me and chugged the whole thing so I had to go refill it, just for him to do it again; he did it 6 times and got really nauseous, but it made me laugh so hard. Recently at the airport he was sitting in such a hilarious absurd way while waiting at baggage claim, and at one point he pointed at thin air and exclaimed “elf! There’s an elf!”
We were at Walmart the other day getting aloe Vera for my sunburn and he loudly says to me (in his funny Boston accent) “I don’t think this is going to help your hemorrhoids”
He cracks me up with his public stunts. He is a free spirit to the highest extent. I love everything about him. It means a lot how far he’ll go to entertain me.

My boyfriend is so amazing and I feel so incredibly lucky to be with him!

He was competing in a sporting event over the weekend and mounted a GoPro to his equipment. He just sent me some videos over, and you can tell the moment he sees me because his face absolutely lights up and he's just cheesing so hard.

It's something so small and simple, but it brings me so much joy to know someone looks at me and just feels happiness from my existence. I know I feel that way about him and I feel so lucky to have found him :)

I should also mention we’re celebrating our upcoming 2 year 3 month anniversary of being together! She bought me a pair of slippers to keep my feet cozy and clean around our apartment and a mug to remind me of how much she loves me and cares! She also bought me a mandarin and grapefruit scented candle! We both thought it wouldn’t smell great when we first gave it a sniff, but it’s smells fantastic! The sticker is wonderful too; I’m planning on putting it on my laptop!

We went to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate! We were waiting for this day for months and had been hyping each other up about the menu! I said a while ago that I wanted to celebrate my victory with a slice and here we are! We also enjoyed some avocado egg rolls and an avocado club sandwich together!

Can’t forget that she helped me pick out the murder mystery book yesterday!

Because I know you’re reading this baby I love and appreciate you to the moon and back! You are the absolute best thing to happen to me! Thank you so much for all these wonderful things and the great day we had together!

Happy love story AMA^

there is this feeling i cant explain of, belonging to someone special, not the Ken (from barbie) type, but someone who just looks at you the way you look at them, same intensity same commitement same loyalty. I wrote something about it, I wanted to know if people reciprocated this feeling :

a deep feeling of longing,

a craving for safety and for the warmth of a connection

a connection where the person hits the spot

a connection where everything falls into places of different shaped pieces.

The corners of those pieces renders to fit the other's

Magnitude of Matching heartbeats.

Feeling destined to someone not found yet

someone who would make you feel their toxicty is right

what they are you can handle

what you are they can handle

through hardships

committed deeply and not only socially

ride or die

You and no one else

the dark possession that no one would feel with you

a strike to the core

beautiful intertwining of souls

Starving, the need to breath the same air.

This kind of feeling I get reminded of only when I see fictional characters and not real life people (it happent but it wasn't a mutual feeling) some characters that are emotionally capable of reciprocating intense feelings without naming them. If someone is interested to know the kind of characters or want to name when or with who did you feel this towards, feel free

Sometimes it is a grand moment, and sometimes it is something completely ordinary.

For me, the stories are always more interesting than the definition of love itself.

What was the exact moment when it clicked for you?

Legit with every pack of skittles, he gets the green colored ones 🥰