When I walked in, he looked up in surprise, tears welling in his eyes as he explained. He hadn’t been “busy” with anyone else—he had been working extra shifts for weeks. The little box contained a bracelet engraved with, “Five years down, forever to go.” He confessed he canceled because he couldn’t afford the dinner I planned. My heart ached as I realized he was doing it all for me.

That night, we went home, lit a few candles, and shared takeout on the living room floor. It wasn’t the evening I had imagined, but it was filled with love and gratitude. I held his hand, knowing now that true love isn’t about perfection. It’s about forgiveness, understanding, and choosing each other every day. Sometimes, our fears create stories that simply aren’t real.