The 27-Year One Night Stand

You read that correctly. I have been having a one-night stand -- fun, loving, intense, sexy, nights and days, every day for the last 27 years.? And I have no intention of stopping anytime soon because I am in love.

Finding love was first about finding myself and loving myself. It happened because I put in the work to really love being me. I enjoy and get energized by my body, my laugh, my own opinions, my faults and fears, my doubts, and my ambitions and goals? (regardless if I accomplish them). I love myself and that love gives me the energy and confidence to love others.

This love of self is so freeing that it allowed me to let go of my preconceived notions of what love should be. I stopped caring where I’d find love, their height, gender, ethnicity, occupation, alma mater, and net worth.? I had a checklist but it centered around kindness, curiosity, and goals.

So with an open heart and open mind, coupled with the best loveable version of me, I found love at first sight 27 years ago during World Cup Soccer games in the U.S.? A nice guy from Dublin, Ireland ventured into an American bar and lucky for me we ended up playing pool together (I’ll let you ask him who won the game).? We knew we didn’t want the night to end and so with his heavy Irish accent, he simply asked if he could walk me home and we've been together ever since.

That chance encounter turned into the longest-running one-night stand.? 9920 days and counting.

Ten years to the day we met, we celebrated our love by getting married. We used the occasion to truly celebrate our love and thank family and friends, who supported us during the highs and lows. ? We celebrated companionship, and friendship as well as having someone that was committed to helping the other person be their best self.

I see him and I love him.

While some?friends have sought millionaires, (or is it now billionaires?) I am blessed to be loved by someone who makes me feel like a million bucks.? At the same time, I am very clear as to what I bring to the relationship. I make him feel loved. I listen. I’ve created a safe space for him to be vulnerable, silly, sad, scared, and more. My love is a place where he can laugh, cry, breathe, let go, let loose, get mad, be stank, and know that none of it will diminish my love for him. I embrace all the things that make him human.

Loving this man is not hard. Loving him is a joy that gives me energy and purpose and confidence.? Does he drive me crazy sometimes? Have I heard the same stories and jokes for 27 years? You bet. But he is also the kind, supportive man who simply asked, “how can I help?” when I decided to leave a great career at @JPMorgan to start WOCstar Fund.

Each anniversary, we celebrate not just the years together, but the friendship and how we show up in the relationship. People change, relationships change. I honestly love him more today than yesterday.? He is my best friend. He is the guy that got up early to make me breakfast so I could finish this article. He is the one kissing my neck so he can sneak a peek at what I’m writing about us. He is also the guy that taught me --

Love yourself enough to love someone who helps you be the best version of yourself. Be willing to be that wonderful gift for another human being.