"Without the Academy, I never would have lasted in this relationship, which is truly the most enduring, satisfying, joyful, adventuresome, challenging, growing learning loving relationship I have ever had." 

Path spent over a decade single and celibate after going through some difficult relationships. Then in 2019, she discovered the Academy. 

The Academy gave her language for experiences she had never fully understood before, including limerence, internalized homophobia, self-worth, attachment patterns, and what it truly meant to build a healthy relationship with herself first. 

A few years later, Path met Mary at a local book club. Rather than falling into instant chemistry or losing herself in the excitement of a new connection, Path found herself finally able to date with intention, and to stay connected to herself while getting to know someone else.

Path says, "I remember on the first date, I had finally figured out how to behave. How to truly get to know somebody in a paced way, not just fall into lust -- the pattern that had caused me so much suffering in the past. And I wouldn't have known how to do that until I learned it in Ruth’s class."

Although Mary had never before been in a relationship with a woman, she had done plenty of personal growth work along the way. Together, Path and Mary began building a relationship rooted in curiosity, compassion, and mutual respect.

Path adds, "The skills I learned in the Academy continue to support our relationship today. The Attachment course helped me understand I lean toward anxious attachment, and how to work with that. We regularly return to Academy classes—and pull on content from the Lesbian Bed Life series, too -- to strengthen our love and continue growing together."

More than four years later, Path says, "This relationship is the most enduring, joyful, adventurous, challenging, and deeply satisfying partnership of my life. The Academy helped me become the kind of partner who could create and sustain it."