Caring for Her Partner Isn't Always Easy

Hey everyone, I'm a college student in my mid-twenties and have been with my partner Alex for almost two years now. We're pretty unconventional, I don't think Alex would ever call me their 'Daddy' or anything like that, but there's this dynamic where I take on a more caregiving role in the relationship. It started out small, like reminding them to take their pills and stuff when they were dealing with chronic pain issues. Over time, it grew into something bigger. For instance, sometimes Alex needs help with basic chores because of flare-ups or just feels overwhelmed. It's been a bit of an adjustment for me, as I've always seen myself more as someone who enjoys being independent rather than the nurturing type. I'll be honest: there are moments when it feels like too much work and I feel resentful about not having enough space in our relationship to just relax sometimes. But at the same time, I really enjoy helping Alex and seeing them get better, even if it's just a small thing like cooking dinner or driving them to appointments. One particular instance that stands out is when we went through a rough patch last year where I took on more responsibilities than usual because of some unexpected medical bills that came up. It’s funny though; despite all these caregiving moments, Alex has never really expressed wanting this kind of relationship long-term. They’re always quick to remind me they're an adult and can handle things themselves when it's not a flare-up or emergency situation. But somehow, we've managed to keep everything going without too much friction. It’s kind of like our relationship is built on these moments where one of us needs the other but then quickly shifts back into balance once that need passes. Anyway, I thought about sharing this because it feels good to put out there that not all caregiving relationships look or feel like what society might expect them to. Sometimes you just do what needs doing without labels and it's okay if that works for both people involved.