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I just wrapped up what – let\u2019s hope – was the worst date of my life. Highlights: my date told the waiter that I didn\u2019t want anything to eat (without asking me if I did), proclaimed that women belong in the kitchen, and then broadcast to the entire train station that he wanted to kiss me. It was extremely bizarre. And that was without<\/em> bringing diabetes into the picture.<\/p>\n My dating history can be summed up as: bleh. One of my ex-boyfriends took me to the hospital in the middle of the night when I had a stomach bug and high ketones, only to repeat – daily until we broke up – how annoying it was that he had to take me. Another guy I was seeing for a few months told me he didn\u2019t care at all to learn about my diabetes.<\/p>\n Like it or not, when out there looking for a mate, those of us with diabetes have to worry about more than the usual. Thinking about this led me to ask myself: who is my dream companion? Being with a person with Type 1 diabetes is, well, kind of like being with two people. And that\u2019s not for everyone. I know my special someone is out there. Here are the qualities I\u2019d love him to have:<\/p>\n Yeah, there are times when my blood sugar can be too high or too low, and I just so happen to take it out on the people I love the most. My family, close friends, and previous plus-ones can all speak of my \u201cLinda Blair\u201d moments. My dream partner would understand that those moments are temporary, that I don\u2019t mean all of the rude things I might say, and know to just ignore me. It might kind of go like this:<\/p>\n Me: Growl hiss yell cry whine I need I need I need growl hiss.<\/em><\/p>\n My love: Can I rub your back while you wait for your blood sugar to come down?<\/em><\/p>\n I am usually quick to recover and apologize. Dream partner knows this and accepts said apology politely.<\/p>\n I am extremely independent when it comes to my diabetes care, but there are times when I do want a little bit of help. When I\u2019m sick, I might want my partner to glance at my sensor while I\u2019m resting. When I\u2019m busy with work, I might want him to help remind me that it might be time for me to take my insulin. When I\u2019m feeling burned out (which does happen sometimes), I might want my spouse to be there to encourage me and reassure me that I can do this, and to not let diabetes win.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t want someone who is overbearing and constantly nagging me, but I do want a person who can be there when I need someone.<\/p>\n In other words, they need to know when to speak up and know when to shut the heck up. No nagging; but plenty of support.<\/p>\n I want my partner to understand my feelings, methods, and everything else that goes along with my diabetes. When I finally find someone who is forever, I want that person to be well educated on not just diabetes, but my <\/em>diabetes. The reason why I have such an easy time discussing my diabetes with my family and close friends is because they took the time to learn and understand how diabetes affects me. I want my partner to be well acquainted and comfortable with my personal diabetes. That\u2019s going to mean some give and take on both sides. After all, I have to be patient when this person asks for insight. And I need to not go all Linda Blair on them when they do.<\/p>\n Humor has gotten me through a lot of the tough situations in my life. No matter how hard the situation, a good joke or something witty can always make someone smile. Cracking jokes and making light of situations is just how I cope. I need someone who is going to understand how that works for me, and know intrinsically when it is okay to joke about the big D. You have to have a stomach for diabetes humor, and that\u2019s a must for my mate.<\/p>\n The person I end up with will have to deal with my sarcasm, cat obsession, outspokenness, crazy family, Netflix addiction, One Direction jam sessions, and of course my diabetes, too. If I can find someone who loves me and is willing to be there for me through all the craziness that is my life, then I\u2019ll feel pretty lucky.<\/p>\n1. Patience<\/strong><\/h2>\n
2. The helpfulness of all of my iPhone apps, without the pop up notifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Understanding<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. A sense of humor like Jimmy Fallon\u2019s<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. Someone who loves me as much as Jay-Z loves Beyonce<\/strong><\/h2>\n