Anyone that knows anything about my dating life knows two things off the bat: 1) I tend to become very attached, very easily. My friends have come to call this “he’s the one syndrome” 2) I tend to be attracted to guys that hurt me or use me or just end up in general not being great. Ladies, you know what guys I’m talking about: f-boys.

However, almost three months ago now (wow time flies), I was reintroduced to someone really special.

Around November, I was in a very weird, transitional dating period. I had gotten out of a relationship a couple of months prior, and it still hurt, but I was making myself move on. I wasn’t necessarily looking for anything serious, just casually dating. And then one day, I get a message on Facebook from a familiar face that I had only talked to once or twice before. We had mutual friends, and a public conversation had been going on between me, these two mutual friends, and the familiar face, Mike.

After some small talk, I came to know that Mike had been interested in me for quite some time, but had never said anything because the time wasn’t right. When I say “quite some time”, I mean seven years. SEVEN YEARS had gone by, with one conversation in which I introduced myself, and one random late night message that I didn’t think much of at the time, other than him being nice.

As you can imagine, I was a little shook by this conversation. Which of course, being the charmer that he is, was followed by an invitation to dinner and a movie. I mean come on, if someone tells you that they’ve liked you for seven years, how can you say no?

Let me tell you, this was best, and the most awkward first date I’ve ever been on. I walked outside to meet him, and my heart was POUNDING, y’all. I was so nervous that I wouldn’t meet up to his expectations, because how can you not have expectations after all those years? I remember, I gave him a hug and he was so awkward about it and clearly didn’t expect it.

He decided to take me to a place called “The Taphouse”, and after we went to see “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. Genuinely, it was great. We had fun, we laughed and both admitted how awkward and nervous we were, which was the best part. I mean, ordering tacos for dinner just so it “broke the tension because it’s messy”, was a good idea. (Thanks for that, Mike)

Apparently the date went well, even though he couldn’t even TRY to hold my hand without shaking, because half way through he had asked me to go see the new version of “Beauty and the Beast” THAT, TO THIS DAY, DOES NOT COME OUT FOR MONTHS.

Didn’t take too long after that night for him to ask me to be his girlfriend. Apparently he knew right away that’s what he wanted. Well, years ago he knew that, but that first date solidified it.

On December 3rd, 2016, he told me (well, more yelled at me) that he loved me. Now some of you are going to read that and say, what? That was fast. Some have even called him stupid for saying it so soon and feeling the way he does. But I knew, and when you know, you know.

Now it’s Valentine’s Day, and I cannot tell you how happy I am. Mike is the best guy I’ve ever known, and this is the best relationship I’ve ever been in. He’s my best friend and he makes me smile every day. Sure, we drive each other crazy, but who doesn’t? In these short few months, we’ve both been through a lot emotionally, and I could not have asked for a better rock. I am fully and unconditionally loved, and I could never ask for anything better. I am so grateful for my goofy, wonderful, caring and ridiculously adorable best friend/partner in life every day.

Listen, reader. I know some of you may be reading this and saying “aweee, how sweet” and some of you are reading this with a more negative tone. I’ve come to learn that there is someone for everyone and no matter how many god awful relationships you’ve been in, don’t ever give up.