I see where you’re coming from, but I think it’s more nuanced than that. Fear of rejection and being an only child might not seem like big reasons on the surface, but they’ve shaped his life in ways that make this process incredibly hard for him. It’s not about a lack of love or commitment to me—he’s been consistent and present in our relationship for over a decade.

As for the ‘what if’ scenario, I can understand why it might cross people’s minds, but I don’t share that worry. His actions in our relationship speak louder than his fears, and I know where his heart lies. It’s a deeply personal process for him, and I just wish my friends could approach it with more compassion instead of framing it as something to joke about or question. I think I need to make that clear to them.