He’s taught me so much about patience, respect, and consistency. The man has never changed in three years, and that’s something I thank God for. 🙌🏽
He’s shown me what it means to be valued without strings attached. I can be 1000% me—unfiltered, unapologetic—and he still finds it beautiful. He always tells me, “There’s no guessing with you, Brandi. You say what you mean.” And that’s something he appreciates that others once called nagging.
And honestly, these past three years have reshaped what love looks like for me. I used to be so used to toxic that when he first showed up, I had to retrain my nervous system 😩 because I wasn’t used to calm and kind. He, along with a few other good men in my life, have reminded me what the 49-year-old Brandi will never accept again. 🙏🏽
If someone asked me what The Book Gentleman represents in my life, I’d say: what I deserved all along—but now I finally know it. 🩷
And yes, some connections are meant to stay just as they are—beautiful but unfinished. I’ve got a dear friend I’ve known for 21 years, and we’ve never crossed lines either. That man would probably take a bullet for me (not die, but he’d definitely go to the hospital for me 🤣). We even went to counseling before to protect our friendship when things got off track.
So yeah, not everything has to turn romantic to be meaningful. When I think about The Book Gentleman now, I feel a mix of everything—peace, gratitude, a little longing, but mostly appreciation. His presence always feels safe. He reminds me I’m seen, I’m beautiful, and I’m valued. And honestly, that’s enough. 💖
Sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones that end with a label—they’re the ones that teach you how to love differently, softer, and with more understanding for yourself. 🌿
— Life After with BrandiJ 💫