I'm a 21-year-old female who loves to chat, while my boyfriend, who is 23, tends to be more reserved. Here’s how things are going—do you think it’s a positive sign?
I'm a 21-year-old woman and I play in a band. I met him, a 23-year-old man, during a trip where he was the best friend of our bassist. After the trip, he invited me out, and we went on several dates. However, despite feeling a physical attraction, I found our conversations often dull and unengaging. At that time, I was very into myself and decided to turn him down. We remained friends for the next year. As for my background, I’m a designer with a deep curiosity about the world. I love engaging in long, meaningful conversations on a variety of topics, particularly art, social issues like women's rights, and philosophical inquiries. My previous relationships were with artistic individuals who could discuss things for hours and made me feel like we could conquer anything together, but eventually, they would become avoidant and lose interest. I've realized I tend to be attracted to charming but emotionally distant men, and I often prioritize the exhilarating rush of romance over seeing people's true actions. I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts about various subjects. Now, regarding him: he's an architect, quite skilled in math, chemistry, and physics, but not particularly passionate about those subjects. He approaches challenges with practicality, focused on everyday problem-solving. While he's not naturally curious about things that don't serve a practical purpose, he dives deeply into topics that interest him, like coffee, fashion, and music. He's responsible, hardworking, and calm—traits I admire, as many older people struggle to maintain their composure under stress. After a year of friendship, I started to see him as a person rather than a potential romantic partner. During that year, we dated others, but not for long. We bonded over our dark humor, and I continued to find him attractive, particularly appreciating his stoic nature. I often talked to him about motorcycles, a topic of mutual interest, and eventually bought one for my travels. I always found him appealing but felt he didn't fit my ideal "interesting" type—someone who is a curious conversationalist and shares my adventurous spirit. Up until five months ago, I held a narrow view of what an interesting person should be. Then, he asked me to coffee, and during our conversations, I realized how comfortable I felt around him, despite my attempt to convince myself not to develop feelings because our chemistry was undeniable. Over the next couple of months, we grew closer, spending Sundays together. However, like before, I often felt responsible for keeping the conversation alive. As we engaged in different activities beyond just talking, like visiting galleries or going out with the band, my feelings for him deepened. One day, I confronted him, asking whether we were friends or if there was something more. We decided to create some distance between us but ended up kissing while a bit tipsy, leading to more outings and ultimately an intimate relationship. About two months after that initial coffee, we became an official couple. Initially, I was frustrated with our dynamic, as I felt burdened by the weight of our conversations and we often experienced long silences. I communicated this to him in a detailed note outlining what I valued in our relationship, expressing my desire for deeper discussions and exploration of our shared interests. I realized I didn’t fully understand my own needs, believing that he merely needed to be more talkative. After months of me sharing my thoughts with him, he eventually expressed his worry about not being interesting enough for me, feeling less knowledgeable compared to my previous conversationalist friends. I shared with him that after spending time with him and the band members, I came to appreciate different traits in people. I discovered that love encompasses so much more than simply engaging conversations. His calm demeanor and thoughtful responses to my troubles have been incredibly grounding for me, matching well with my emotional nature. I realized that my feelings for him were rooted in genuine connection rather than superficial elements. We nearly cried during a video call as we navigated these revelations. The best part is that I've noticed significant progress. There are moments when I hit the right notes with him, allowing him to express his perspectives on topics I typically don't discuss. He naturally listens more than he speaks but wants to engage. I believe I can help him develop his conversational skills, encouraging him to explore various subjects more freely. Yet, there are still worries on both sides, and we recognize the need for more time to understand one another. If anyone has experienced something similar or has advice, I would genuinely appreciate the insight. I truly want to fight for our relationship, as I think it's worthwhile. We've met each other’s families, and his is incredibly welcoming, which makes me envision a future together.