"I don't see black, white, orange, or tan—I see love."

I had never thought much about my relationship being viewed as "wrong" until news stories started popping up consistently regarding police brutality and Donald Trump running for president.

After about the third incident of a black man being killed by a white police officer (or vice versa—because I will NOT be playing the victim card right now), I started to think about how these incidents were impacting me.

There wasn't much that came to mind; after all, none of the incidents had happened close to home and myself and my fiance are both very respectful people to everyone we come by—including law enforcement.

Then I thought about the fact that even though I don't see my man as black—the rest of the world does. To me, he is just another human being, working 40+ hours a week, paying bills and helping take care of his family. To the rest of the world, he might not be seen that way.

There is such a stereotype connected with the African-American male in America. "They wear their pants saggy, act like gangsters, do/sell drugs and live off the government." They are referred to as n****s, instead of people. He's not a "man" simply because of the pigment in his skin.

When people realize that I'm with a black man AND have a child with him, I'm immediately looked at different. In public, I'm often glared at for being with him while pushing a stroller. He must "beat me," and that's why I'm still with him. As if I'm not allowed to just love the hell out of this man because of who he truly is. White girls are only with black guys cause they think it's "fun," when in reality, being with a black guy is downright scary in today's society.

Try riding in a car with a person who already has anxiety as it is, and then add on the pressure that they could get pulled over for a random traffic stop; or the fact that you could potentially watch your significant other be shot at or wrongfully arrested simply because the officer connected the color of skin with a man reaching for a wallet in his back pocket... WHERE IT BELONGS.

Try living in a very small town that is considered very country where there are only maybe five black kids in high school at a given time. And that might even be a stretch. Can you imagine growing up in a town where you are the outcast—not the new kids, but yo u—because of your skin color. Where students will act like your friend to your face but drop derogatory terms the minute you walk away (believe me, I've seen it firsthand). Where teachers think it's acceptable to just spit out the "n" word because it's "history," and the way a book was written 40+ years ago. Never mind how it makes certain (black) students in the very classroom feel.

Being with this man for nearly six years now and watching the new stories and hearing/seeing certain things happening because of who our president is has sent me through a whirlwind of emotions. I never thought I would cry at the idea of the love of my life leaving the house alone with a rear tail light out. I never thought I would triple check every time we got in the car that his wallet was in the cup holder and the insurance card was in the glove box.

I truly never thought I would hear some of the people I love most allow certain words to slip out of their mouth—regardless of if my fiance was around. I never thought I would be concerned about my relationship and the person I love in this sort of a way.

Because of this man, I have things in my life I could never possibly repay him for. He's not with me for money, he's not with me because I'll do everything for him while he sits at home and plays video games, he's not with me because we have a kid together and he's too cheap to pay child support.

Help end the stigma. If you wouldn't be comfortable saying or doing something around a person of color—just don't do it. Not all black males are out to get money and drugs. Just like not all white men are racist assholes.

And if you're like me and you are in a relationship with a person of color, know that you are not wrong—society is.