This post really hit home for me. I had a lot of those same fears and insecurities in my teens and into my 20s. Honestly, I think everyone who stutters has felt this way. I always saw girls I wanted to talk to and get to know but thought as soon as they hear my stutter, they wouldn’t want to be with me. Meeting people is so hard when you have a stutter, especially at that young age. I figured I was just going to be alone all my life. I got so lonely, I eventually decided to try online dating. At 25, I met a girl online and I was open and honest about my stutter. It was scary to put it out there but I didn’t want it to be a surprise for her if we decided to meet. Like I was hiding it from her. To my surprise, she wasn’t annoyed or uncomfortable, actually she seemed very understanding and supportive, which really helped me relax. We were together 9 years and eventually separated for other reasons. I found myself back in the same situation feeling hopeless and depressed until, again, I tried online dating. About 3 years ago I met the love of my life and we are now planning a wedding. Don’t give up my dude. I’m 38 and in my experience, my stutter is a bigger issue in my own head than it is for anyone else. And I’m sure it’s the same for you. Your family and friends love you for who you are, your stutter doesn’t matter to them. Sure, you’re going to run into people that don’t understand and might make a comment about it. I’ve had people chuckle and visible hold in laughter while I’m talking to them. Fuck those people. Just shrug it off. Those are the people you shouldn’t give a shit about. Just move on with your day. Give online dating a shot. Be open and upfront to anyone you meet about your stutter so you don’t waste your time or cause any unnecessary stress or anguish for yourself. If someone ghosts you or doesn’t think it’ll work because of your stutter, is that a person you really want to be with? You’ll find someone for you man, I’m sure of it. Someone that not only accepts you but also tries to understand what it’s like, and someone who is supportive. All the best to you dude