In 2017, I met the love of my life, and by the summer of 2019, he and I were discussing marriage. As I’ve done from time to time since 2015, I checked in with Alison to ask for guidance. She sensed that he had a secret and suggested that I not rush into making a formal commitment, and instead wait to see what unfolded over the next year. About a year later (yes, we were in pandemic lockdown by this time), I learned his secret: a serious, life-ruining gambling addiction – about which he was in complete denial. Despite loving him so completely, I decided to leave him before his problem ruined my life. It is a sad ending to that chapter of my life, but I have no regrets about deciding to move on. I am grateful to have access to Alison’s wise advice and counsel. She is – as others have testified – the “real deal”.