When we started dating, my boyfriend had a major red flag- he didn’t drink coffee. 

I understand how dramatic that may sound, but I drink coffee pretty much every day of my life, and dating someone who doesn’t was a risky decision. He didn’t even own a coffee maker until we had already been dating for 9 months, and he only got one because I upgraded to a Nespresso machine and brought my old coffee pot to his apartment. 

However, when I learned that the reason he didn’t drink coffee wasn’t because he didn’t like it, but rather because he hadn’t really tried it, I embarked on a mission to introduce him to the wonderful life of being a coffee addict. 

Step one- convince him to try coffee for the first time. Honestly, this wasn’t too difficult because we love going out to breakfast together, and I always order a coffee with breakfast – it’s a legal requirement in my mind. The first time he asked to try a sip of my coffee, I practically jumped with joy. Now, his first sip of coffee was regular diner coffee with cream and sugar, so I didn’t have high hopes he would love it. But, to my surprise, he liked it! He liked it so much that when his grad school professor asked if he wanted to go on a coffee run a few days later, he said yes! The first coffee he ever ordered for himself was an unflavored cappuccino, which he found a little bitter, so he added vanilla, and that became his go-to order.

Fast forward to today, when we are both obsessed with coffee. When we go out to breakfast on Sundays, the waiter already knows we want two coffees and two waters. He has also started branching out with new coffee shops to try new flavor combos and loves a good iced mocha or hot caramel latte. Seasonal flavors are also a must-try, even though he has admitted feeling a little embarrassed ordering a “Be Mine Mocha” or a “Pugs & Kisses Macchiato.”

On days that he sleeps in too long to get a coffee before work, I can guarantee I will be getting a text that says “I regret not getting a coffee this morning.” And I don’t blame him – I managed to turn someone who had never tried coffee before into a full-on addict. 

Getting to explore new cafes and try new coffee flavor combos together has become one of my favorite activities. I look forward to trying the new seasonal specials at our favorite local coffee shops and enjoying mornings together over a latte or cold brew. And now that I have gifted him my old coffee maker, we can even enjoy cold and rainy days with a hot cup of coffee from the comfort of his apartment. 

Love ya, Austyn. Now your only red flag is that you don’t like seafood, but we can work on that one later.