I feel loved when I’m truly seen. I feel loved when someone is present through their gaze, through conversation, through the little routines of everyday life that still remind me I matter in their world. I feel loved when I’m listened to, when there’s room for calm conversations — whether silent or difficult ones that require courage — but where there’s still the comfort of knowing that, in the end, we’ll still be there and able to speak with respect.
I like being remembered and wanted, not through grand gestures, but simply through knowing that the people in my circle genuinely want me around as much as I show that I want them around too. Being cared for and caring for the people we love is something beautiful, and I feel loved when there’s reciprocity from both sides, each in their own way, but with enough affection shown for me to know I’m not just being a burden, so I can understand when I should stay close or step away, because I would never want to cause discomfort or make someone feel overwhelmed either.