It felt like by the end you really understood what those relationships were to me. I wasn't exactly hopeful, especially given how it went the last time it came up, over a year ago very early on in our work together.
That was why I made the face when you asked if I'd ever been in love. That's why I react like that when you use the word "partner" or bring up romantic relationships.
Thanks for actually listening and hearing me. It matters to me. I haven't discussed those relationships in any detail with you before because it's upsetting to have someone repeatedly try to turn them into something they weren't or be dismissive of what they were.
I think the difference was that this time you were willing to see it through my eyes, to stop trying to categorize it and instead hear an answer that was "D. None of the above"