It took my entire life of practicing and masking to get to the point I'm at with my outward reactions. It still never feels natural. Her ex never really had to mask to get by in the same way I did. Am I wrong for feeling a bit upset about this "complement"? /2

4

Of course I want her to feel appreciated, but it just seems like telling her how much I appreciate her isn’t enough, and my masking will always be required. She also always makes the point that her ex would say things, but his actions would say something else. To be honest it seems like he was saying what he felt, but not expressing the “correct” outward emotions, and she took the outward emotions to be his “real” emotions rather than what he literally told her. I love her, but I’m scared /3

3

I think you're very valid to be upset with her saying that! I honestly strongly dislike whenever people praise someone by comparing them to someone else, it's just kind of needlessly mean. like she could've simply said that she likes how expressive your are without bringing anyone else into it. I think you should try to have an open conversation with her and to explain your perspective

1