“You’re the one making it a big deal.” That’s what my friend’s girlfriend of almost five years told him this morning during a back and forth call. His birthday was yesterday. She didn’t post about him. Not sure she called or wished him a happy birthday, let alone got him a gift. She initially said she didn’t have his picture. Someone who’s timeline was flooded with photos of him and well wishes He sent a long message about how he felt (unnecessary, I think). Then she called this morning and said, “You’re the one making it a big deal,” after he told her not to worry because she was apologizing. They started dating when he was serving, she was also just in second year. He assisted her financially and emotionally through school, got and paid for her apartment, and after she finished, assisted her with a job in finance (different from her field of study). These are just the surface level things he did. He told me she does only the barest minimum as a babe to make his life easier. She barely cooks or cleans on her own. Sometimes they have issues and she won’t speak to him for weeks. I asked why he’s still there. Later I found out she was his first love. I’m concerned, not just about him getting into another relationship, but how this experience will shape how he sees girls. The dating pool is a mess right now. May God help everybody.