Monday, September 4, 2017

Engaged!


I haven't updated in awhile, but that's because things have been very hectic over here.  The good kind of hectic, the ultimate triumph: On August 10th, my boyfriend asked me to marry him.

Dating is rough.  There’s a delicate balance as you get to know someone new… What stories can I reveal on a first date? When is it appropriate to share what memories? Will this person accept me when I reveal who I really am? 

Everyone struggles with these questions, but adding OCD into the mix can take this struggle to the next level. 

The intrusive thoughts that come with OCD are excruciatingly painful to live with and can be even harder to share, especially with a romantic partner. Whether it is the worry that you are a rapist, a murderer, a child molester, a creep, or a fraud… The person with OCD often has difficulty understanding that these thoughts are OCD related and have no basis in reality, so it can seem virtually impossible to communicate that to someone else.  When you want a man to see you as desirable and lovable, the last thing you picture saying while looking into his dreamy bedroom eyes is, “I used to have to avoid knives because I thought if I got too close I was going to stab myself.”

I remember the first time I shared my worst OCD fears with a boyfriend: I was 18 and he was 23. I told him because I felt like he had a right to know how messed up I was.  I laid it out, prepared for him to be disgusted and never look at me the same way again.  Prepared for him to leave.  At the time, I didn’t even want to live with myself, so why would any man ever want to be with me? 

What happened was the opposite of what I expected.  He listened and made a real effort to understand.  He even shared some of his scariest thoughts with me.  Intrusive thoughts may not plague everybody the same way, but they occasionally happen to almost everyone.  My boyfriend didn’t have OCD, but he didn’t have to in order to be empathetic and accepting.  He really loved me and that was enough.

That was 10 years ago.  Since then, I have gone on dates with many different men and even developed close enough love with two of them to share everything.  

Like most things in relationships, it ultimately comes down to trust. Are there men who wouldn’t have understood or even tried?  Absolutely.  Are there men who would’ve made me feel like a freak?  I’m sure.  But what I realized after that first experience was that there are people out there who can understand and who will love me, the real me, OCD and all.

My fiancĂ©'s reaction was to do research.  He asked me questions.  He shared where he could relate and admitted where he couldn’t.  He's supportive, loving and understanding of the struggles that I face and accepts them without judgement.

What we have is open and honest and real.  We are free, and we are stronger because of it.  What I would recommend to anyone with OCD is to hold out for the same.  

You're worth it, and it's worth waiting for.  

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations! It certainly sounds like your fiance is a keeper and someone willing to make a commitment work. You deserve it. I love the photo you shared here too. Very creative.

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    1. Thank you! I am very lucky. :)

      My cousin got the sign on Amazon and they hung it up for a family engagement party! I loved it.

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  2. Laura, I am so happy for you. I happen to know (because word gets out) that you have found a wonderful person with whom to share your life -- and it's pretty clear you know it too! (And by the way, so did he.)You did it right -- took the time and the interest and the care. For him, the research, understanding and steadfastness, for you the courage to share and be who you are. I am totally elated.

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    1. Thank you so much! I would love for us all to get together next time you're in town. He really is the best. :)

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  3. May I ask you how long you were dating before you opened up?

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    1. So sorry for the response delay! I opened up a little bit within the first month (just about having OCD and a little about what that meant), but it was because we had a very open conversation both ways about some of the things that he had been through. It came up very naturally. As far as the details, I don't remember exactly when I revealed what over the years, but it was all when it felt right and safe. He was always very understanding about everything, but I had to feel ready too. I hope that makes sense.

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  4. And Congratulations! :)

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    1. Thank you! O:-) A year and a half of marriage and too puppies later and going strong!

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