The first lesson came after a spectacular fallout with Jordan. Alex had prepared a spreadsheet—literally, a color-coded spreadsheet—detailing why their Saturday night arguments were inefficient.
Remember when seven-year-old Alex erased a love note seven times because he didn't know how to spell "beautiful"? That was the first test. A mom’s response here sets the tone for a lifetime. If she laughs or dismisses it, Alex learns that vulnerability is embarrassing. But if she sits beside him, helps him fold the note into a paper airplane, and says, "It’s brave to tell someone they matter," she is teaching him that romantic risk is noble.
“When I was fifteen,” Mom began, “I was convinced I was in love with a boy named Derek. He had a dimple and played guitar. Every time he looked my way, my heart raced. I thought about him constantly.”
“What did Dad do?”