My girlfriend and I were sat down on the couch, eating dinner and gaming together. I kept thinking about the fact that I was keeping the fact that I'm a brony from her, and as trivial and paranoid as that sounds, it genuinely did bother me; for many reasons. I don't like keeping secrets from her, and there's never been a time when she couldn't accept a part of me. It all sounds silly, at least to me, but the show gives me genuine joy and at the very least I wanted her to give it a try. If I told her, the worst that could happen is that she'd disagree, think it was silly, and we'd laugh it off. Sadly, knowing that, and believing that, were two separate actions. I won't lie, I was nervous. She's a classy, intelligent, and not to mention beautiful, young woman. Telling her something of this nature felt silly, and I was preemptively nervous. So nervous, in fact, that midway conversation I just sort of blurted out "hey babe, pretty sure I'm a brony." I'll admit, I could have been a touch more gentle about working that in, but the words were already out, and it was time to do damage control. She was stunned, obviously, comically holding a fork full of food a few inches away from her shocked expression. I quickly explained to her that how I discovered my love for the show, and how watching it made me happy in a way no other show could really achieve. I explained to her that I'd really like to watch the show with her, and would appreciate it if she would just give it a chance.

She laughed. She REALLY laughed.

It was not the reaction I was expecting at all, and I felt my cheeks flush, quickly regretting I had told her at all. But, as soon as she recovered, she threw her arms around me neck and told me I was a dork. Then she told me she was caught up on the series.

Turns out, she loves the show, and just never brought it up out of courtesy. She thought it was something I would have zero interest in, and didn't want to waste my time with a children's show about ponies. We laughed for at least a half hour, exchanging stories on the lengths we've gone through to not let the other one know we watch the show. We also found out we both love the same pony: Rarity. When it was all said and done, she told me that as soon as I was caught up, we're watching Equestria Girls, and I'm pretty excited.

My relationship with her has been built on a simple foundation: communication is key. If I were to be asked to give advice regarding a healthy relationship, it would be that. Communicate. No matter how trivial it may seem, communicate. That doesn't mean you can't have privacy, but almost all secrets are silly, when you love someone. Whether it helps you discover differences or similarities, it is almost never unhealthy. If communication sparks too many issues, it means a few changes need to be made. Making an effort to let your significant other know what's on your mind, shows you're willing to put work into the relationship I'm proud, to be a brony, and to be able to share that with someone I care for deeply. I have very little interest in telling anyone, past her (I have you guys to chill with, after all). I'm well aware that not everyone has the success I had, when it comes to that sort of thing, so I'm definitely grateful it went well, and I appreciate her that much more,