Leo was always boasting about his homemade chocolate mousse and one day invited a few of us over to his house to try it. When I arrived, I discovered I was the only one there. I felt uncomfortable, but I didn't want to be rude, so I stayed for a chat.
Halfway through our conversation, he suddenly threw himself on top of me and tried to kiss me. I pushed him away, told him exactly what I thought of his behaviour, and left immediately. Needless to say, there was no chocolate mousse.
A few months later, when I was leaving the company, Leo gave me a leaving present. I waited until I got home to open it. Inside was an enormous dildo.
I was furious. It felt insulting and completely inappropriate, especially considering what had happened between us. I didn't even want the thing in my house in case my children found it, so I gave it to a friend without ever using it.
Looking back, I realise I was quite prudish when it came to sex toys. Growing up, sex simply wasn't something that was talked about. There was an unspoken belief that if someone needed a sex toy, there must be something missing from their sex life. That was the mindset I carried for many years, and it shaped my reaction to that gift more than I probably realised at the time.
Years later, after my husband and I reconciled, I told him the story about Leo's bizarre leaving gift. Rather than being shocked or embarrassed, he laughed and said, "Well, why don't we get one ourselves?"
So we did.
It was a completely different experience because it was our choice. There was no awkwardness or hidden agenda—just two people who were curious and wanted to try something new together. We found that introducing a sex toy into our relationship added an extra element of fun and helped us explore our intimacy in a different way. Before long, we had bought a few more toys and even some couples' games to keep things fresh and playful.
Our attitudes had changed so much that, when some close friends celebrated a special occasion, we bought them a couples' intimacy kit as a gift. They absolutely loved it, and it sparked plenty of laughter and conversation.
Looking back, it's funny how much my perspective has evolved. The woman who was horrified to find a dildo wrapped up as a leaving present is very different from the woman I am today. I no longer see sex toys as something to be embarrassed about or as a sign that something is missing from a relationship. Instead, I see them as just another way for couples to connect, communicate, have fun, and keep intimacy exciting. I'm now completely comfortable talking openly about sex toys and games, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can help break down some of the stigma that still surrounds them.