Hey Molly,

You post really spoke to me so much so that I created an account just to reply. You mention you have HSV-2 and that he is the first person who has accepted with you. It was so hard for me to leave my ex even when I knew it wasn’t working for the same reason. I thought no one else would ever love or accept me because I’d only ever told two partners the first one said he couldn’t deal and left the second stayed so naturally I was afraid to go through that again. But guess what? I was alone for almost two years after my last break up and then the next guy I dated and my current boyfriend were completely accepting and understanding. Sometimes it’s really not as big a deal as you think! I am grateful every day for my boyfriend who loves me unconditionally. I think to have this conversation you want to wait (an delay the physical part) until you are really comfortable. For me the right amount of time was about six weeks dating. I was straightforward and presented it in a normal way without a lot of drama (something I hadn’t done at all with my ex) when you can accept yourself as you are and not think that you deserve less because of this, you will find more – I promise!