I married my high school sweetheart after 15 years together — on our first anniversary, I heard him say, “She still has no idea what I’ve been planning.”

needed rings and ceremonies to feel secure. Wesley and I had something deeper.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

Every Valentine’s Day, birthday, and Christmas, I still caught myself watching his hands when he came through the door, wondering whether there might finally be a little velvet box hidden somewhere.

There never was.

Whenever I mentioned continue reading …