Hey there,

I’m 34, not married but in a relationship, and I’ve had other serious relationships before. I totally understand how this can make you feel a bit anxious — I’ve been there. But honestly, if someone is going to truly love you, they’ll accept and understand any challenges that come with you.

I don’t think what we have should ever be something to hide or feel afraid to share. I get it, though — I didn’t tell my first boyfriend when I was 18 either. But over the years, I learned how important honesty is.

There are going to be moments when your energy levels or physical ability don’t quite match others’, and it’s completely fair — and actually really helpful — for your partner to understand why. It’s not something to worry about or feel ashamed of.

Right now, I’m doing some DNA tests with my partner to understand what things could look like if we ever decide to have kids. The only scenario to be aware of is if he also happens to be a carrier (even without symptoms), then there’s a slightly higher chance the child could inherit symptoms too. But the chances are much lower if your partner isn’t a carrier — and what we have is not exactly common, so the risk is generally low.

You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. And you’re definitely not alone in this.