17

I met Mr E in a group of friends, I had just turned 17 and he was 5 years older (funnily enough he still is). We all went out together on the weekends and 6 months in we started to date. The first few months were fiesty at times. I was quite headstrong and a bit mouthy back then and Mr E was having none of it. Between us, being open and honest, we ironed out the creases. Expectations we’re clear and fair and they made me feel comfortable and safe. I knew Mr E had got my back. We were soon on the same page and became each others best friends, favouring time spent together to time spent separately with friends. I wouldn’t class myself as a jealous, bunny boiler, type. Don’t get me wrong if you have a large cream cake and mine is tiny I would be jealous but I would be pleased for you (just watch you don’t choke on it 😂). With Mr E I have always had complete trust in him. Trust to make well informed decisions, to look after me and not to cheat on me. Before I had turned 20 we were married and had bought our first house. There were things that we each took more control of and the other kept up-to-date. Most decisions are made between us although I am more than happy to research things and follow his lead.

It was always there!

Mr E never chooses my clothes or tells me what to buy but if I buy something that he is not keen on then I will wear that when he is not with me. This is why… Barely a year into our relationship, I still lived at home with my parents and Mr E would spend time over. On one occasion we were getting ready to go out. I had opted for my favourite tartan leggings. Mr E had mentioned that he wasn’t keen on these, ok he detested them, but I loved them. On re-entering the bedroom he took one look and asked if that’s what I planned to go out in. I smiled and said yes but soon found myself on the bed, stripped of my leggings which were thrown on top of my wardrobe. There was a fun element but it was also a matter of fact, if I wouldn’t take them off he would take them off me. With a smirk of triumph Mr E then said I should find something to wear, fairly quickly as we would be late. That display of dominance (although I didn’t recognize it as such back then) sent delicious thrills through me. I had to keep this one.

I feel lucky to have found Mr E in my late teens.

lilly.

photo taken by Mr E when I was 17/18