It’s been an uphill battle sometimes, but I’m still very happy. I was once in a situation where it felt like I was in a constant state of stress. If I said the wrong thing, or said something in what was considered an “unkind” tone, I was called mean, ungrateful, stupid, and so on. If I gave an attitude, they would ask me why I treated them that way. Despite the fact that I learned that behaviour directly from them, and I made sure to remind them of that, it made no difference. It was my friends who made me that way. Or they would talk about how I “would never treat my friends this way!” I would find personal items missing, only to have them miraculously return a few days later.

That doesn’t happen here. If Audi and I have an argument, and it makes me cry, he doesn’t ignore it, or pretend that I’m just being dramatic. I have no need to be stressed out here. I know that he wil respect my space, and not use my things without permission. I know that he and I can resolve any argument within 20 minutes of it ending. I don’t have to hear that I’m ungrateful or mean or anything else. I don’t have to hear about he’s the “breadwinner” and that he’s the one paying the bills, because we both pay them… And my help is appreciated.

I can finally live by my own rules, since I live in my own house. I can breathe, and not worry about feeling suffocated. I can be free to enjoy my time with Audi, without worrying about curfews. The money I earn at work will now mean something. I can live, and not be held back by centuries-old ideals that don’t apply in this day and age.

I’m living, and I’m very grateful…

Audi, Family, Life apartment, Audi, Family, New York