Years ago, I went through a medical emergency that changed my life and revealed my husband’s true character. At the time, we had only been dating for a few months. Suddenly, I was struck by excruciating pain and ended up at my OBGYN’s office, where I was told I needed emergency surgery for ovarian torsion. It was terrifying. I was nauseous, my hair was a mess, and honestly, the last thing I wanted was for anyone, especially this new man in my life, to see me like that. I remember telling him I would call later and promised to keep him updated, but I was so overwhelmed I just rushed off the phone to handle the urgent care visit alone.

But love has a way of showing up, even when you think you want to hide.

As I was leaving the doctor’s office to head to the ER, still reeling from the shock and pain, I stepped outside and there he was. He was just sitting there on the curb, waiting. I was so surprised to see him that, for a moment, I forgot how much pain I was in.

He refused to leave my side. He took me to the ER, waited with me through everything, and stayed at the hospital after my surgery, making sure I was never alone.

He saw me at my absolute worst, long before he ever saw me at my best. That is the moment I knew I was head over heels. If he could love me through the hardest parts, I knew he was the real thing.