Hey ladies,

First off, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me i finding this community and responding to my first post, particularly /u/Camille11325, /u/wingnut, and /u/MsSadieDawkings.

I just wanted to share something small that I feel you all might appreciate.

I have always been kind of secretive/insecure around guys about the fact that I use make up, sometimes spray tan, and spend money on pedicures and other things to pamper myself because I guess I'd rather maintain the illusion that my cheeks are naturally rosy or my skin is naturally super silky or that I effortlessly look put together, etc. Though I tend not to wear that much make up at all, I still freak out if he tries to come in to the bathroom when I'm applying eye liner or something. I also sometimes get scared that a guy might think that spending the money I do on make up, skin care products, pedicures, etc. is frivolous and selfish.

So the other day I got a pedicure in this super sparkly cobalt color and I posted a snap chat story showing them off by the pool. I think the caption was something like "my nails are so sparkly!" or something clearly pointing out my toenails.

Later that day, my boyfriend came to pick me up for a date (our first one in months so I was SUPER excited) and he told me he saw my snap chat story and said this (maybe not verbatim but pretty close):

"I like that you like girly things. I really like that you're into getting your nails done and bubble baths and bath bombs and all that stuff and would rather stay in on a Saturday night watching Gilmore Girls instead of taking shots at the club." I thnk he may have said this over the course of a couple of sentences but these were all things he mentioned- getting my nails done, bubble baths, bath bombs, girly things, Gilmore Girls (except I think he actually said Gossip Girl), staying in on Saturday nights, and girls at the club being unattractive.

Then he looked in my eyes and smiled and kissed me and I was just beaming all night about it.

It's not that big of a deal, but it was definitely some positive reinforcement that not only is it ok to indulge a little bit in girly things and to let you feminine side show, it's attractive to him. It also made me feel more comfortable with being vulnerable around him, since I do feel kind of vulnerable when he catches me putting make-up away or something.

:) Side note: he's dropped a few lines about marriage recently. Nothing serious, but just little things like "will you still marry me if I decide to never drink alcohol again?" (I was like...um duh and I'll do it with you if you want) and other "jokey" things like "oh yeah I was telling my friend that when we get married I'm going to be the trophy husband and hang out at the gym 6 hours a day. You're cool with that right??" (tongue in cheek) and other stuff. On a more serious note, he's looking at some pretty ridiculously big houses to buy and I had no idea he made that kind of money.

TL;DR: I got some positive reinforcement that it's ok to let your girly side show and then I started bragging about my bf.