Living with Allergies: A 1:1 Interview with My Husband

Living with food allergies doesn’t just affect your own life — it affects those around you, too. Whether it's in an emotional or educational way, it can shape how we all show up for each other. I wanted to share some thoughts from my husband — what he learned, how he felt, and how he navigated food allergies from the time we started dating to now being married!

When we first started dating, how much did you know about food allergies?

“When we first started dating, I didn’t know much about food allergies specifically. But after learning about Jessica’s, I knew things were about to change — goodbye, morning bagels with peanut butter, for example. I grew up with a younger sister who had an airborne latex allergy, so I think I leaned on that experience and the understanding of how to manage it.”

What was the hardest thing to get used to when it came to dining out or traveling together?

“I think the hardest part about eating out together is figuring out whether we can trust the waitstaff and the restaurant’s ability to accommodate Jessica’s allergies — to the point where we actually feel comfortable eating there. That’s why it’s so important to have a go-to list of places we’ve learned to trust over the years.”

Have you ever felt nervous or anxious about being responsible for my safety in allergy situations?

“When you truly care for someone, there’s always a bit of anxiety when dealing with allergies that can be so severe. One thing that really helps is staying aware and consistently reading labels — every time. Even with packages we’re familiar with, it’s always worth a double-check, because we’ve learned that ingredients and warnings can change.”

What’s the funniest or weirdest allergy-related thing you've had to do?

“The first funny allergy-related situation that comes to mind is a song she and her college friends made up to remember each allergy. It’s been sung at restaurants more times than I can count — and it works, because we still remember it all these years later.”

What would you tell someone who's newly dating someone with allergies?

“The best advice I can give is to move with intention. Provide comfort and a safe space for your partner by planning dates ahead, communicating openly, and being mindful of what you eat.”

Boy, am I lucky to have such a supportive husband who just gets it. Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing more interviews soon with other special people in my life🖤

XXOO,
JJ