Just haven't been this excited and happy in awhile

My boyfriend and I had our 4 year anniversary recently. We've had issues here and there either centered around not spending enough time together (he works long hours sometimes) or problems I create from my insecurities.

I didn't want to get engaged until we lived together for a year and I had time to know that dynamic worked because my previous relationship was toxic, abusive, manipulative, and was hard to get out of because he lived with me.

Our time line also was delayed because I spent a year waiting to buy a home that ended up in legal problems, I never got the house. Found another but it took 8 months to renovate (he spent many hours laboring there for me and didn't expect any pay or anything in return).

There was some rough adjustments in living together but we both improved a lot in communication because that's something we both suck at to be frank. I also worked a lot on my own insecurities and making the worst assumptions about how he felt about me because I didn't think I was worth loving.

I was scared to bring up getting engaged and married in the future but he's been nothing but assuring and aligned with me. He looked into diamonds and learned all about how they're rated and I've walked in on him alone looking at settings for me, specifically art deco because he knows I love used vintage stuff (all the jewelry he's gifted me has been second hand). When I showed him one I liked but didn't want because of the price, he asked what I liked about it. I just feel the effort in trying to understand me so he can find something I love.

After not liking the prices I looked at cheaper etsy rings but he said there's no way they'd be good quality because with the price of gold those rings have to be fake or plated. He wants my ring to last and not get tarnished or ugly over time so he offered to make my gold ring setting himself. He showed me videos he had saved about forging and casting rings because he planned to melt down his scrap metals at some point. He also found an online wholesaler for real diamonds and told me he'd prefer I had a natural diamond than a lab diamond. I really only cared about it being as cheap as possible (sorry guys I'm frugal and spending thousands on a ring for me feels stupid, not romantic).

So he found me this beautiful stone that's graded well in the cut I want at a price that isn't exorbitant. We're getting a seller to make me a custom ring design and mold so he can cast the setting himself.

I've been making a lot of changes to better myself including more time on my friendships, my family, my career. I've improved in my insecurities and my communication in my relationship. I just feel so much more contentment in my life. I feel like I'm getting everything I could want with people who love and care about me. I'm sure this won't get much engagement since top posts are about things that make you angry. I was one of those girls posting about how badly I used to be treated in my last relationship but now I'm here happy with myself and am moving forward in my life. You don't have to accept less than you deserve either. I wish this feeling for all of us ❤️