My MS Journey: Chapter 4-Love Shows Up When You Least Expect It
You can't plan for the kind of love that changes you. It just shows up-usually when you've stopped looking.
6/25/20263 min read
Disclaimer: I am sharing my personal 22-year journey with Multiple Sclerosis, including my experiences with managing a chronic illness while dating and attending medical appointments. I am not a medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Open to Something New
After everything I had been through—the diagnosis, the weekly injections, the broken engagement—I want you to know I wasn’t closed off from love. I was open. Careful and quiet, but open. I was ready to see what life had for me next. And life did not disappoint.
I met someone through my cousin. His cousin was dating my cousin, and that connection brought us together at just the right time. We went to a comedy show, and from the moment we sat down, everything felt easy, natural, and refreshing.
We laughed and talked. We had one of those long conversations where time disappears because you’re enjoying the person in front of you. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers, and honestly, I already knew I wanted to get to know him better.
Every Single Day
What happened next was something I hadn’t felt in a long time—a real and steady connection. We talked on the phone every day and spent time together during the week. There were no games or doubts. He was simply present, steady, and there. It was refreshing in a way I didn’t realize I needed until it happened.
I loved everything about him, from his looks to the way he carried himself and treated me. What drew me in most was that he was a family man, which means a lot to me. A man who loves and puts his family first shows his true character. He was already a father, and seeing him with his children made it even clearer. I fell for him as a person, but watching him as a father sealed it for me. I never expected to fall for someone so quickly, but there I was, falling.
The Conversation I Was Nervous to Have
There came a point where I knew I had to tell him about my MS. I waited not because I was hiding it, but because I didn’t know how he would react. Telling someone you’re newly dating about a chronic illness isn’t easy. There’s always that fear: "Will this change how they see me?" "Will this be too much for them?" I told him, and then I waited.
What happened next is something I’ll never forget. He didn’t pull back or get distant. Instead, he took it upon himself to research Multiple Sclerosis. He wanted to understand what I was dealing with, what my life was like, and what MS really meant.
He came back after doing his homework and said something that stopped me in my tracks. He told me that if I wanted him to come to my next neurologist appointment, he would be happy to go.
He came with me to that appointment. I had always gone to every appointment alone, and here I am walking in with someone who truly wanted to support me. I sat in waiting rooms by myself, went through MRIs alone, and got my weekly injections alone—until now. Finally, I had someone sitting beside me. If I wasn't completely in love with him before that moment, I was after it.
What Real Love Looks Like
Sometimes we make loving someone more complicated than it needs to be. Watching him show up for me, not because he had to or because I asked, but because he wanted to, had taught me something important. Real love doesn’t run from the hard parts of your life. It stays and says, “I’m not going anywhere.” That's who he is.
After everything I went through with the diagnosis, the injections, the heartbreak, and rebuilding—I believe God knew exactly what He was doing when He put this man in my life.
Sometimes the most beautiful chapters of your story begin with an introduction you almost missed.
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Disclaimer: The articles and content indexed on Peace Plates & Purpose represent personal experiences and educational resources regarding wellness, recipes, and living with Multiple Sclerosis. This platform does not provide professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a certified professional regarding your health or financial choices.