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Finding someone who will do the extra little things, just to make your life a little easier, is so special. He's like: Of course I'll call the restaurant ahead of time and make sure their menu includes something you can eat with your allergies. Of course I'll offer to buy you any little thing you like. Of course I'll change X day of my week for you, so we can have our movie night instead. Of course I'll go to your favorite store with you and engage with it to learn all about it. Of course I'll listen to your favorite music and listen to your story time of what the song means to you. Of course I'll learn your love language(s) and incorporate them into our interactions.

I loved you before I knew you. I prayed for you before I met you. I longed for you before I ever even looked into your eyes for the first time. It was always you. It has never not been you.

-Random or unexpected kisses/touches/hugs throughout the day mean the world to someone whose love language is touch. Knowing and feeling that your partner wants to be near to you is one of the best things ever, and it's very reassuring. -Don't underestimate the morning kiss/hug/cuddles if you live together. -Random touches such as an arm around their shoulders, a hand on their back, holding hands, standing close, etc., in public are important. It's a way of showing those around you that you guys are together. As someone whose love language is touch, this is one of my favorite things. I love knowing that my boyfriend wants to make sure everybody else know he's mine and that I'm his. -Holding hands is so simple yet helpful to someone whose love language is touch. It's convenient and just lets you be close to your partner. Do it when you get the chance, such as walking into a restaurant/store, at the movie theater, going on a walk, waiting in line, etc,. Bonus points if one of you does the classic "Thumb CircleTM"/gentle rubbing of the hand. -Massages are awesome not only because they feel good, but because of the person giving them to you. It doesn't have to be some long drawn out massage, either, it can be something simple such as while your partner is standing while cooking, at their desk, etc,. You can, of course, ask them if you can massage them during a movie at home or something of that ilk, which would give you more time. Either way, a simple rubbing of the shoulders or back is always welcome and kind. -Have a secret handshake. It seems random but it's just an innocent and endearing action of touch, while also bringing you two emotionally closer with a silly inside joke between the two of you. -Cuddling is a huge deal for someone whose love language is touch. Don't forget about it! When you get the chance, cuddle your partner and hold them close. In my experience, it's one of the safest feelings in the world when I get to cuddle up with my boyfriend. Something about being so close to your person, feeling their warmth, taking in their scent, etc., is comforting. Cuddle your partner!!

-My Boyfriend, August 2023

-being told i speak in a "mechanical" manner. especially when i was little. i think i've learned to mask this or lessen its effects over the years. -rather than walking on my "tippy toes" as some autistic people do, i tend to stand on the outside of my feet very often. i almost always have at least one foot tilted to the side when i'm standing (not walking). -i have synesthesia (a commonly-found trait in autistics; particularly autistic females) -I have had/still have an ED. I've struggled with anorexia off and on throughout the years. It is common among autistics to struggle with some sort of eating disorder. -I tend to go nonverbal when extremely overwhelmed, upset, anxious, sick, etc,. This can last for anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hour I've noticed. At this point it will be nearly painful to say even 3 words, and it requires deep breaths beforehand just to get those words out. -I literally always have some sort of song, quote, word, etc., stuck in my head. It is rare for me to have a moment of silence -I get attached to how some words or phrases sound, and will think about them often for the following days after hearing that word or phrase. Example: yesterday my grandmother was talking about the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I then proceeded to say Monte Carlo at random times throughout the rest of the day, due to it being stuck in my head at random points. Sometimes it seems as if there is an emotional attachment to a certain word or phrase, even if only for a day or two.

My bf: "You're the prettiest girl in the world." Me: "Every boyfriend tells their girlfriend that." My bf: "But I actually believe it. That's the difference between me and them."

-constantly quotes things from videos, memes, movies, etc -difficulty communicating certain things out loud; prefers to text or write a letter to talk about certain things -feels emotions very, very strongly (especially negative ones) -recognizes patterns in many things. i think this is one of the reasons why i'm so good at rhythm games -addicted to music/listens to music for most things in life -sensory issues/sensory processing disorder (diagnosed) -severe anxiety (diagnosed), which can get worse because of some of these things -loud noises are a no-go -hyperfixations -easily misunderstands what people ask/need of me -time management can be very difficult at times -not being able to make myself/my perspective understood no matter how hard i try or explain -feeling anxiety/sensory overload/worry physically within my skin, as if it were static or pent-up electricity in-between my bones and skin -stimming -i sometimes HATE to be touched, and the other percent of time, i love it. it also depends on the person 99% of the time, as well as if i'm feeling overstimulated or anxious -OCD (diagnosed) combined with just being a perfectionist -very stubborn/strong-willed If anyone with diagnosed autism sees this, can you let me know your thoughts on it? I'm not diagnosed, as it's quite expensive to get that process started, but I've spoken about this with my therapist and the doctor who diagnosed my sensory processing disorder, and it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility. My cousin is autistic, so I know we have the gene in my family somewhere. In the past year or two, I've really become aware of how much I've done throughout my life that points towards the autism spectrum.

-feeling the breathing pattern of the person you're hugging -holding pinkies, or just a few fingers -secret handshakes -forehead (or neck!!) kisses -playing with your person's hair (or them playing with yours) -unexpected gentle, one-handed back rubs while waiting in line or a similar scenario -tracing words on your person's back for them to guess -hand kisses -feeling/listening to your person's heartbeat -touching foreheads