So, my husband scared me today when we were getting ready to leave.

He waited until I walked by and jumped out at me and yelled “BOO”.

My husband knows I scare easy, but in the moment he forgot.

I didn’t question whether he was trying to intentionally hurt me. I didn’t get angry, my feelings weren’t hurt.

Because last night he held my hand and gently spoke my name when I was in a dissociative state. Last night he listened to me as I cried about trauma someone else had caused me, and comforted me. Last night he kept me as close to his skin as possible and kept me safe from memories he had nothing to do with.

I didn’t question for a second when he forgot and thought he was being silly.

In fact, a few minutes later, I scared him back.

I didn’t question whether it would make him angry at me to tease him even though he had just done the same to me. I didn’t worry that it would ruin our day.

And to be honest, it was kind of fun.

If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that love, doesn’t have to be what you always thought it was.