Just like everyone else, I’ve had a few knocks in the love department, and my anxiety about the possibility of getting hurt can make me act pretty strangely sometimes. If I’m in love, I want to do everything right so that Boyfriend will love me back.

The problem is that I’m not so perfect, so I end up bottling up little things that bother me OR (equally unhelpful) getting frustrated with Boyfriend for not trying as hard as I am to make me feel constantly appreciated, affirmed, and adored. This usually ends in a paroxysm of tearful agony, usually at a strange moment and sparked by a disproportionately tiny disagreement.

I’m dating a wonderful man, and I don’t want for my anxiety to screw things up this time. We’re both under stress, and some weekends together are better than others. I want to stop being afraid of it all coming to nothing. I want to be normal, happy, open, and loving, and I want to be loved in return. I’m working on it. 21 months ago