If you learned something central to a person’s life before you met them, you’d probably think of that person in a certain light. But what if you didn’t learn about that fact until after you got to know the person well? Finally finding out could make things clearer and easier, or it could just get in the way. This is what happened to Mickie McLaughlin when her boyfriend’s mom told her something about her boyfriend that she had never known. Read Mickie’s story, including her surprising reaction to the news, below.
“When I was 16, I met a guy in math class. He was intelligent, caring, funny, but a little “off” somehow. We talked every day and hung out as often as we could. With him, I could talk about anything. He didn’t judge. He was very logical. I liked that about him.
We got to know each other very well and eventually I gave him my phone number, and we talked every night. Then, a couple months later, while talking on the phone one night, he just randomly declared his love for me! I literally sat there in my bedroom, no idea what to say! Haha. But, as awkward as it was at first, I kinda started to realize… maybe I love him too…. So we started dating.
I’d go over to his house after school and one day, I was chatting with his mom and she mentioned him having “Asperger’s Syndrome.” I had no idea what it was. She explained that it’s a form of Autism! You never would’ve known by the way he was acting. He didn’t have repetitive movements of any kind, he talked to everyone. But, he was very logical, didn’t like certain feelings or touches on his skin, and hated being dirty! Apparently his mom had seen signs of it when he was just a year or two old. She tried to put him in grass and he freaked out and started crying!
She took him to therapy for years to help develop his skills. Because of what she did for him, he is now 20 years old, fully functioning, a great guy… married AND a father! (Yes, married to me and it’s our baby!) He has a great job and works hard for us. His Asperger’s can still make things difficult at times and I have to be patient with him, but it’s so worth it. I’ll say this: people with Autism can be the most loving, caring, wonderful people you will ever meet. I love being with him. It’s been four years, married for almost two. I wouldn’t change him for the world.”
Battle Creek, MI
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