I own and operate a small dog walking business, I run a team of 5 people including myself and we have about 60 clients (not all are every day). I walk a minimum of 5 miles/day, on busier days I can walk up to 8 or 9, I’m usually home by 3:30 or a little earlier every day, but I’m on my feet every day from 7am on. My boyfriend and I had a bit of an argument a few days ago, we are talking through it and everything is fine, but you know that feeling when things just aren’t right. I feel even worse because the issue that caused the argument is mine, not his. I’ve felt so shitty about it for days.

Anyway I got home from an icky rainy long walking day yesterday and I noticed the box for my pedicure tub was opened on the counter and the tub wasn’t in it. I didn’t see his car outside so I had no idea he was even home and started to think I had gone crazy leaving the pedicure tub out. I go in the living room and there he is, pedi tub heating up, lotion and massage oil ready to go, my favorite fluffy sweatpants laid out on the couch. He patted the couch next to him to tell me to come sit. I kicked off my socks and shoes and changed into the fluffy sweats, then he rolled them up and put my feet in the tub. He held my hand while my feet soaked, after about 10 minutes he pulled one out and proceeded to give me a full-on pedicure: cuticle trim, nail trim, pumice stone, brush, fascia roller, and ended with a massage oil foot rub. Not a word was spoken, but when we made eye contact he smiled his sweet smile and it just sent a wave of calm through my body. I made a series of mistakes that really hurt him (no I didn’t cheat) but being the wonderful man he is he still treats me with love and respect regardless of how he is feeling in general. I don’t fear that the world will come crashing down every time he’s upset. I don’t fear that he’ll yell at me or call me names or try to hurt me back just to get even. I lived like that for so long between my craptastic dad and an 8 year toxic relationship, but no more. I finally feel truly loved. I feel cherished. I feel important. I feel respected. I love him with everything that I am, and he makes me want to do better. He makes me want to BE better. I’ll never understand how he came into my life or why, but I’m going to do whatever I can to keep him.

And yes, I have webbed middle toes 🤣