My Boyfriend Refused to Take Pics with Me and Hid Me from His Friends and Family – If Only I Knew Why
What does it mean to love someone who keeps you in the dark? Deborah’s boyfriend refused to take selfies with her for a year and never introduced her to his friends or family. She thought he was just shy until their shared GPS tracker led her to a life she never imagined.
I used to think Noah just hated having his picture taken. That’s what I told myself every time he dodged my camera or stepped away when friends wanted a group shot or when I wanted a selfie of us together.
But then, I’d see his latest online posts loaded with solo shots at restaurants we’d visited together and pictures at events where I’d been right beside him.
An anxious woman checking her phone | Source: Midjourney
For a whole year, I watched myself being cropped out of his life, piece by piece, wondering if I was his dirty little secret. Maybe he’s camera-shy. Maybe he had a wife tucked away somewhere! Maybe I wasn’t pretty enough, smart enough, or good enough.
Silly me. I used to laugh at those thoughts. But it felt weird. And I was like, “What’s the big deal in posing for selfies with your girlfriend?”
One evening, after another failed attempt at a couple’s selfie at our favorite Italian restaurant, I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Come on, just one picture, babe,” I pleaded, holding up my phone. “For our anniversary.”
Noah just pushed his pasta around his plate, that familiar tension creeping into his jaw. “Deb, you know I’m not comfortable with photos.”
A nervous man holding his head | Source: Midjourney
“Right. Just like you’re not comfortable introducing me to your family? Or your friends?” My voice cracked. “Do you know how it feels to date someone for a year and not exist in any of their memories? You know everything about me. EVERYTHING.”
He reached for my hand, but I pulled away. “It’s not what you think—”
“Then what is it, Noah? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re ashamed of me.”
His fork clattered against the plate. “Ashamed? Gosh, Deb, you have no idea how wrong you are.”
“Then explain it to me!” A few heads turned at nearby tables, but I didn’t care anymore. “When your friend Tom ran into us at the mall last month, you introduced me as ‘someone from work.’ Is that what I am to you? Just… someone?”