Meagan,
Let me start by saying when I was your age, I was engaged to a man whom I did not end up marrying. He and I traveled across the country to meet up with my best friend from college. After dinner, as we were getting into a taxi, my friend discreetly whispered to me “he’s not the one for you.” It angered and hurt me, as I had decided this was the man I was going to marry. I wanted to show her she was wrong about him. In hindsight, perhaps she saw something that I did not see at the time.

While reading your posts, I got the same sense Matt seemed to have – that you’re strong, courageous, confident enough to “handle” your boyfriend. You say “i know who I am and nothing he can say will make me doubt myself”, “We’ve had many trials and tribulations”, “He once was able to make me feel very insecure”, “i feel that nothing he says can alter my belief of myself”. Are these the words to describe the feeling of being in love? You declare you are in love with HIM, his character, the person he is. Why then, save from two people in your circle, are you hiding your relationship? There is a world between keeping private details between you and your boyfriend, and keeping the entire relationship secret. It’s true that people have opinions that run the gamut, influenced by their own struggles and desires (such as your mother), but if you do love and cherish this man and your relationship with him, my feeling is you should feel free to experience your relationship out in the open. Is it possible that you have your own doubts, outside of what your loved ones are telling you?

You shared with us your boyfriend’s good points (sweet, gentle, family man). I would encourage you to read this article and consider if any of this speaks to you: http://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/getting-blinded-by-good-points/. People can have good points and still not be right for you or a relationship. Just something to think about.