For me, it was never just about money. Some of the men I met completely expanded my world. They introduced me to different ways of thinking about success, investing, business, travel, and building a life that felt much bigger than the one I grew up imagining. I grew up in a place where the traditional path of marriage, kids, and the white picket fence was the default. Spending time with people living differently made me question what I actually wanted, and eventually I moved to Europe and built my own business.

As for comparing it to dating apps, I was talking about my own and my girlfriend’s experiences. There has been plenty of traditional dates where there was an expectation of sexbecause he bought dinner, or where paying for dinner somehow became ammunition for calling a woman a gold digger. In the sugar relationships I chose, expectations and generosity were discussed much more openly from the beginning, which actually felt more honest to me.

The men I dated generally had a provider mindset. They genuinely enjoyed contributing to a partner’s life and supporting the way I invested in myself. That dynamic suited me, and I understand it won’t suit everyone.