Love in Beta Testing

Navigating a relationship with a musician or writer can be an exhilarating yet amusing experience, especially when you find yourself at the center of their creative inspiration. This post is an affectionate dedication to my partner, where my profession as a writer, allows me to explore our quirks and idiosyncrasies and get inspired to write about it. We affectionately refer to this phase of our relationship as "beta testing," where we're continually learning about each other and testing our compatibility in the close confines of his cozy, tiny apartment.

Living together temporarily for an extended period has provided us with a unique opportunity to delve into each other's lives and truly understand one another. While some may struggle with the proximity, we, as introverted souls, have surprisingly found solace in each other's company. Of course, living in such proximity has its challenges, but this post focuses on the endearing and lighthearted aspects of our journey.

As we stroll through the area of his neighbourhood, we often chuckle at the contrast between well-kept homes and the occasional stereotypical "junky houses." Amidst the piles of front-yard trash, these houses stand unkempt and neglected, providing a curious contrast to their neighbouring gems. On the other end of the spectrum, we encounter newly constructed cookie-cutter houses, so alike that one could easily get lost in the neighbourhood after a night of revelry. The residents seem to form a close-knit community, creating an intriguing pocket of modernity within the town's historical context. Sometimes, we can't help but draw parallels to the whimsical neighbourhoods depicted in movies like "Edward Scissorhands" or "Poltergeist.

Neighbourhood from the movie Edward Scissorhands, 20th Century Fox (The Ringer)

Embracing these differences in our surroundings mirrors the joy we find in our own unique personalities. Despite sharing a similar sense of humour, taste in movies, and other interests, our individual quirks add colour to our blossoming relationship. Take our morning routines, for instance—I, not being a morning person, crave my morning caffeine fix to function properly. My partner, however, is a vibrant morning person, brimming with energy and a cheerful mood. This contrast often becomes a humorous point of contention. Yet, it's endearing how he finds entertainment in my morning grumpiness and playfully teases me, a trait that makes him all the more lovable.

Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba, (Sailor Moon,1992)

Despite my occasional annoyance, his boundless energy and teasing never fail to make me smile. I've even found myself throwing pillows and harmless candy wrappers at him in jest. His ability to understand and appreciate my unique traits makes our connection even stronger. It's heartwarming to be with someone who truly "gets" you and can tease you lovingly without crossing any boundaries.

All in all, I like to believe that despite the occupational hazards of dating a budding writer who blogs about our relationship on the Internet, this is overshadowed by the adventure and joy I hopefully bring into his life! The shared laughter, teasing, and mutual understanding we experience in this "beta testing" phase only strengthen our affection for one another. As we continue to explore each other's worlds, I'm hopeful that my partner being part of my inspiration for my creative narrative will only add a special memory to our budding love story and will be a beautiful memory to look back on together in years to come or perhaps even be a touching tale lovingly crafted by me. 

Mamoru casually teasing Usagi because she forgot her school bag (Sailor Moon Crystal, 2014)