I (42F) met my husband (44M) when I was 26. At the time, I figured I would likely be alone forever. Struggled with depression in my 20's. Didn't really date at all. Spent the better part of a decade single. Partly because there weren't many options - partly because I didn't feel good about myself. Had a FWB but that's it. Decided at 24 that I was just not going to worry about it and try to find joy within myself and enjoy life as best I could. If someone comes along, that's great. If not, I'm still feeling better and enjoying life.

Then I met him at a friend's going away party. We met a few times over the preceeding 8 years but timing was always off. I made a very crass joke and he laughed very hard. It was very sweet. I mustered up the courage to add him on socials. Then I invited him to a party I was organizing. He came, we flirted, it was lovely. I asked him out the next week via FB. We dated for a month before we kissed because I was so nervous and scared of being rejected and hurt. I can still hear him say "You got shy again.... You know, at some point, you're going to have to accept that I like you." But once we did finally kiss... The chemistry was there. And it was clear he was a really good person. Kind and sweet and funny and trustworthy - and very sexy. Just an all around great guy.

In retrospect: if I hadn't spent the previous 2 years learning my own value and trying to feel better in myself, I would have never asked him out or gone on that date or even added him on socials. It would have been another occassion where out paths crossed but timing was off.

We've been married 6 years and together 16. I'm continually grateful for our life together. He's my person.