StephanieNicole

“I overheard my live-in boyfriend, Tom, telling his brother that I was just a ‘starter girlfriend’ and our relationship would be good practice for when he’s ready to get serious with someone. On our seven-month anniversary a few nights later, I invited Tom’s brother and his fiancée over for dinner. After we ate, I gave Tom three big, wrapped boxes. When he opened them, he found a mini sports car in the first one and a plastic dollhouse in the second. From the third, he pulled out a note that read ‘Before tonight, you just had a starter girlfriend. But now that you have a starter car and a starter house, it looks like it’s time to start the real thing…without me. You have one week to get out.’” -Olivia, 29