She wanted to go out for a coffee

Yesterday, my woman said she wanted to go out for a coffee in the afternoon.

So I picked a spot she would surely love. Great reviews, filled with cats, and not too far.

I checked in with her:

“I found a spot about 30 minutes away. Do you want to walk or want me to order an Uber?”

She hesitated for a moment. Walking’s been tough lately, her hips have been painful from the pregnancy, and nausea can hit out of nowhere. But I know she prefers walking if she can.

So I said,

“How about we start walking, and when it gets hard, I’ll just order an Uber?”

Off we went.

About 30 minutes in, she mentioned she was glad we were almost there, tired, hungry, and ready for that coffee.

We arrived. She lit up, it was exactly her vibe.

But me? I hated it.

Thirty dollars entrance per person for one hour? No coffee included? It felt like a total waste of money.

So I said,

“Let’s go. I don’t want to be here.”

She followed me immediately.

And I braced for impact.

I expected:

“Why are you so cheap?”

“Why do we always do what you want?”

“Well, what now? I bet you didn’t plan a backup, did you?”

I’ve heard all of that and more before. In other relationships.

But instead, she looked at me and said,

“I love you so much.”

What?

I was confused. So I asked,

“What made you say that?”

She answered,

“Because now I know you don’t waste money on things that don’t matter. And that means our child and I will never have to worry about it.”

I laughed, picked her up, said, “Bless you, woman,” and ten seconds later, we found the perfect café with the most amazing banana bread.

She celebrates everything I give.

She shares her desires, but never demands.

She trusts my lead, even when I pivot.

And that makes me want to give her everything she could ever want,

but never at the cost of my own truth.