My first experience of love – or at least my experience of a serious crush – happened at school when I was 15.

After falling in love with an Emo boy the year above, I truly thought I had found The One.

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His dark hair and stubble made him look like he belonged in a band, which was ideal considering my bedroom walls were covered in boy band posters.

She had a “mature” vibe about her and it helped all the other girls think she was gorgeous.

Eventually, our casual MSN chat, which largely consisted of whining about our parents and discussing Fall Out Boy, dried up, and I realized we weren’t that compatible after all.

Youthful passions are one thing, but when it comes to feeling loved and safe, these are feelings I only truly experienced after meeting my partner in my 30s. Nick (Knowles)62, DIY SOS server).

We connected through our children in 2021 (Katie My mother, Savannah, has four children, ages 10 and 28, Alex, age six, and Nick, age 10 to 28. We then have our first meeting in a cafe in Maidenhead.

As a shy person, I was surprised at how our conversation flowed, discussing everything from family to work.

We dated for two years while we lived apart – Nick in Cheltenham and me in Windsor – then moved in together when my kids felt they were getting used to him.

Nick is a big personality who loves to talk, but I learned that there is such a thing as “TV Nick” and “Home Nick.”

When she’s at home, she’s thoughtful, buying flowers and making endless cups of tea.

He also makes a wonderful slow-cooked beef massaman curry dish; The love language is cooking.

during our relationshipNick’s boundaries collapsed.

Initially, she was apprehensive about being in another relationship because she was in the public eye.

One of the most difficult things we have faced as a couple has been hurtful comments, including mean words. instagram messages calling me a gold digger and messages stating when I gained weight.

There were also racist comments saying I looked like I had been dipped in creosote wood stain.

As someone who has suffered anxietyThis really affected my self-confidence.

I would say to myself: “Look how ugly I look.”

This invasiveness made me question our relationship.

During our first few years together, I would think, “I don’t want to do this anymore,” and I would procrastinate; I would refuse to put myself in an unfair situation where I would fall apart just because I am. Dating Nick.

So we had our ups and downs and sometimes I needed space.

Still, we all found our way back together.

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After all, we both love each other.

That’s why it was so easy to say “yes” when Nick proposed to me last year in New Orleans.

Even though I had hinted, it was still a surprise when he gifted me a ring made of Haribo Tangfastics!

We haven’t set a wedding date yet, but I’ve been busy looking at dresses.

Watching a smiling Nick compete Definitely Come Dance It was so nice, especially knowing how hard you worked.

He was initially terrified, worried he wouldn’t remember the dances, but he did it.

She also became healthier, losing 3 kilos in a week (before she got injured and subsequently became the third celebrity eliminated). I certainly wasn’t worried about the Curse, and it didn’t even cross her mind.

He was there to learn, and when he came home exhausted, all he wanted was for it to be just us.

When it comes to relationships, I want to know I’m supported.

Yes, I love having dinner cooked for me, but I also love knowing Nick has my back; This makes me feel safe.

Yet there is no debate as to who is most in need between the two of us; I text and call first, but I think it’s because I’m thoughtful.

I’m dealing with trolling better these days. I will block strangers and Nick is always understanding if I get upset about it.

When you meet someone on television, you have to fight your preconceptions of what they will be like.

That’s exactly what I did and I’m much better at it.

I am the happiest I have ever been and I feel loved for the first time.

• Katie runs Boaboawear.com. Follow @Katie.dadzie on Instagram
• Words by Anna Clarke