What's it like to date someone with diabetes? Maroulla Plangetis, whose fiancé, Chris Dallas, has type 1 diabetes, breaks it down.

Diabetes and dating does not mean disaster. I want to share this alliteration with the world.

It was my fourth or fifth date with Chris Dallas. We were seated at a casual restaurant, waiting for our food to arrive and warm us up after a chilly December walk.

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At some point—and I don't remember what topic provided the transition—Chris confidently mentioned, "I have diabetes." No shame. Just like that. I was overwhelmed with a combination of nervousness, awe, interest, and chills (thank you, December).

Without thinking, I blurted out, "That's awesome!"

I think Chris looked a little shocked at my reaction. I shot a silent prayer to God that I did not offend him, that I did not just blow away the greatest gift that I was—and still am — convinced God had sent me.

"Really?" he asked.

I could not stop staring in his clear blue eyes. Was that a look of worry that I was joking?

"Yes!" I responded.

I was only a few dates in, but there was something so special about this confident, warm, friendly, funny, positive, smart, handsome, muscular, dark-haired, blue-eyed man I can forever talk and write about with upbeat adjectives. As I write these words, I am 10 months into my relationship with Chris, and his gorgeous outside continues to be matched by a genuine love on the inside.

Looking back, I'm not sure why it took a few dates for me to notice that Chris was diabetic. For some reason, I never noticed his pump; maybe I thought he was checking his phone? I think he took care of a lot of his diabetic needs in the bathroom those first few times, so I just never really noticed, or perhaps I was so distracted with doing everything right myself that I completely missed his insulin adjustments.

Cliché, I know, but the past 10 months with Chris have been the best 10 months of my life. Despite what a few people in my life have tried to say to make me think twice about staying in a relationship and considering a future with a person who is diabetic, I stand strong with Chris.

Chris Dallas proposed and Maroulla Plangetis accepted the day before photos for this article were taken.