We both wanted the relationship but were both holding back, in our own ways. Now, we don't hold anything back.
From that day forward, I was no longer afraid to give my love my whole heart, and he was no longer afraid to share his with me. We both had been burned badly in the past and the ghosts of those relationships were haunting (what was then) the present. We were able to set our sights firmly on the future, instead of looking over our shoulders.
Life sent its fair share of hard times our way; we were able to weather them quite easily because we could talk about anything, at any time, and treat each other with deference and respect. And always, always, there is love.