I should have know better. All the signs were right there in front of me. When I first started dating my BPD partner, I started receiving elaborate and over the top gifts very early into the relationship. It wasn’t just the monetary value, it was the thought and effort that went into all of these unique gifts. How much time must she have spent on all of this? I remember our first Christmas together where she had coordinated with the rest of her family to present me with individual pieces of items that made up a collection. I was shocked and awed by the thoughtfulness and generosity. I didn’t know what to say. Of course now, I see it for what it is; the absolute, all consuming adoration given to the new love interest in an attempt to cement the relationship as soon as possible. I’ve heard my story a thousand times over. They were so nice at first. They adored me and gave me such nice gifts. They were so thoughtful and kind. I didn’t knwo how to respond. I was just blown away by their generosity and affection. And therein lay the fisrt warning sign. And we all missed it. A discerning individual would have been cautious and careful. But we bought it hook, line and sinker. Boy, did we ever.