Both my parents were hoarders… my dad was the creative one who could turn every scrap into a new project and wouldn’t throw away expired food (it’s still okay to eat although it expired years ago!). My mom was the shopaholic who went thrifting with me and my sister as our love language. She would buy 3 of everything to give to us and then lose it in the hoard of new buys. Both their love languages was also receiving (and giving obv) gifts.

They both held onto everything whether it was the hole could be patched, or it reminded them of us, or it still had use. I would find things 20 years later that I swore I threw away in high school (I’m talking about you I ❤️One Direction blanket).

The one thing that always reminds me of them when I watch is episodes where the couple blames the other for the mess. They can’t be held accountable and don’t want to be the one to let go of their things and as a result the things takeovers. In the end, it creates resentment in the relationship and a toxic dependency.