It’s truly the smallest moments that remind me I’m with the right person

I (f25) have just gone through major dental work, getting crowns on my front teeth after years of not being able to afford it. I’ve been going through the process of getting painful wisdom teeth removed as well.

My teeth have been a great source of both pain and insecurity, but my partner (m26) has been so supportive and has always said he’s in love with me, not my teeth. He just wants me to be confident in my smile and not hide it.

Well now it’s fixed! I’m pain free and my front teeth look better than they ever have, and he went with me to all the appointments he could just to offer moral support. I feel so much better about myself.

A few nights ago, we were sitting on our couch together, just watching tv, laughing together. I looked over at him and he was smiling at me misty eyed. He told me earlier that day, he’d been going through photos of us, and noticed how in many of them, I’d had a closed mouth smile, but since getting my teeth fixed it had been nothing but toothy grins! He’s always said I’m beautiful, but now that I’m feeling better, the happiness radiates off of me and I’m even more beautiful because I believe it now too.

It’s these quiet moments of support and encouragement that mean everything. That prove we’re in this together for the long run. We take care of each other in our toughest times, and that means more than any grand gesture to me.