Sometimes the greatest gifts are the simple words
I never thought I would be with a man as amazing as Mike.
In fact, I had given up dating. Done a lot of work on myself. Cleaned my side of the street. Told God that it was in his hands, that I couldn't handle it anymore.
Then along came Mike. I wasn't looking. I'm not even sure if he was looking, but it happened. And what a kind, loving, peaceful, intelligent presence he was in my life before it became more than just a friendship. He is so respectful that half the time I don't know what to do with it.
I've been used and abused for so long, that I did not know that this was how things should be, let alone could be. And then the moment of truth came, when I really needed to come clean about my past and my childhood abuse. How that childhood abuse continues to impact my relationships with others today. The moment when so many of those who seemed good at first ran away, or distanced. But not him. Instead he literally kissed away the tears.
And I did what so many of us survivors do, all too often. I apologized for getting emotional.
He leaned in closer and I was expecting a kiss on the cheek and a "it's alright" because how the hell else could one respond. But no, he said the most magical thing a partner has ever said to me. "It is all part of you." And then he held my face until I looked in his eyes. "You don't ever have to apologize for being emotional."
What's more, and some of you may identify with this...I was able to call him the next day and thank him for saying this. I was able to acknowledge the gift of those simple words.
In fact, I had given up dating. Done a lot of work on myself. Cleaned my side of the street. Told God that it was in his hands, that I couldn't handle it anymore.
Then along came Mike. I wasn't looking. I'm not even sure if he was looking, but it happened. And what a kind, loving, peaceful, intelligent presence he was in my life before it became more than just a friendship. He is so respectful that half the time I don't know what to do with it.
I've been used and abused for so long, that I did not know that this was how things should be, let alone could be. And then the moment of truth came, when I really needed to come clean about my past and my childhood abuse. How that childhood abuse continues to impact my relationships with others today. The moment when so many of those who seemed good at first ran away, or distanced. But not him. Instead he literally kissed away the tears.
And I did what so many of us survivors do, all too often. I apologized for getting emotional.
He leaned in closer and I was expecting a kiss on the cheek and a "it's alright" because how the hell else could one respond. But no, he said the most magical thing a partner has ever said to me. "It is all part of you." And then he held my face until I looked in his eyes. "You don't ever have to apologize for being emotional."
What's more, and some of you may identify with this...I was able to call him the next day and thank him for saying this. I was able to acknowledge the gift of those simple words.