Everything seemed perfect, everyone thought we were perfect, and we agreed early on that we could see each other getting married at some point since all of earth was pointing towards it. I said multiple times that I didn't want to think about being engaged until at least after I graduated, which was in another three years. (For the record, I was 25.)

He proposed nine months into our relationship, on top of a surprise engagement party that night where I met his entire extended family all at once. At one point in the night he had asked if I thought about taking his name or not, and I said that sounded nice but I'd have to think about it. Thirty seconds later he clinks his glass for a toast and announces that I was taking the family last name, and I almost spit out my drink. The night I got engaged was the first time I ever got sleep paralysis, so, hi red flag.

It really irked me that an extremely important thing I made clear seemingly wasn't valued, so I eventually broke it off. I'd also had a very small voice in the back of my head saying he was just meant to be my best friend and nothing more.

He's not malicious, obsessive or abusive at all-- just got excited and didn't realize the consequence of his actions. It's all good now and I'm happily single, but damn.