My Boyfriend Is About To Move In & I’m Freaking Out

If you can’t live together, there’s no way you’ll make it in the long run—and that’s why my boyfriend and I knew we wanted to try it before we get engaged. Don’t get me wrong, I’m super stoked, but now that it’s finally around the corner, I’m low-key freaking out.

1. He pretty much already spends every night at my place. At this point in our relationship, he’s at my place more than he’s at his own. I love falling asleep with him and waking up together, even if he hogs the blanket. Even though he comes over on Friday and leaves Monday morning before work most weekends, it’s still not the same as actually sharing an address.
2. At least he has somewhere to go when we want to do our own thing. Like any solid couple, we have our own hobbies and interests and things that make us tick. The nice thing about having different places up to now is that we’ve each had somewhere we can call our own. We love spending some quality time together, but knowing we don’t have to be up in each other’s business all the time has been nice.
3. We aren’t doing it because of money, but it’s still a factor. I have friends who moved in with their significant other solely because it would make rent cheaper rather than because they actually wanted to. It may not be the only reason it makes sense for us right now, but I’d be lying to myself if I wasn’t thrilled at how much we’ll be saving. How ridiculous is it to pay two full-priced rents when we’re together most of the time anyway?
4. I’m ecstatic to get to share an address with him finally… I’m so lucky that I found someone so easy-going, and the truth is we’ve never had one fight. I know how rare that is, and I’m excited to spend even more time together. Saying goodbye after a long weekend of playing house is always hard, so I know it’ll be great to never have to stop the game. I’m not exaggerating when I say I can’t wait to start this new chapter together.
5. … I’m just a bit nervous that we’ll break our “never sick of each other” streak. We’re only human, and all humans have limits. Just because we think we know everything about each other doesn’t mean that all hell won’t break loose if the rose-colored glasses shatter as soon as we take the leap. Up until now, we’ve never gotten fed up with the other’s company and I want to keep it that way.
6. I tried moving in with a guy before and it was a disaster. In my last relationship, we thought that taking the next step to living together would fix all our problems. Instead, it magnified them and we broke up in a big, messy, fiery explosion. I’m sure our split was a long time coming with or without the move—and my ex and I were NOTHING like my current partner and me in any way, shape or form—but that doesn’t change the fact that making the decision to cohabitate seemed to ruin everything.
7. What if we find out all these annoying things about each other? I already know he’s messier than me (which I’ll have to get used to), but what other weird quirks will I only find out about once we’re sharing a bathroom? What if he has bizarre kitchen habits, leaves his underwear on the floor, or forgets to take out the trash? I know realistically I’ll love him anyway and nothing too major will turn up, but I’ve had way too much time to imagine the worst.
8. My friends who’ve done it are reassuring, but everyone keeps stressing what a big deal it is. It’s an interesting concept to have people try to convince you you’re making the right choice while simultaneously telling you to be careful. Why can’t anybody just be excited without making sure I understand the gravity of the situation?! If one more person looks at me in alarm when I tell them, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
9. If it isn’t going to work, I’d rather know now. My ex and I are the perfect example of why moving in together, even when catastrophic, is necessary. I truly believe that my boyfriend and I will be together forever, but if we can’t live together, I need to know that as soon as possible. Before we start planning proposals and weddings and looking to our future, we have to find out if we can stand being around each other 24/7.
10. I’m sure when it’s wonderful and feels normal, I’ll look back and roll my eyes at myself. Everyone I know who is already living with their partner says we have nothing to worry about. They laugh and joke that in a few months, I’ll be embarrassed at how worried I am in this moment. Even when my subconscious tries to come out with new and creative things to be wary of, I know they’re probably right. For now, I’m gonna let myself panic in peace.