I am very happily married for 25 years now. I have 2 children and I am just getting ready to resume my career in physical therapy. I have never tried to hide my stutter. I tell people I stutter as soon as I meet them. Then the choice is up to them whether they want to make the effort to look past the stutter to try to get to know the real me...or be closed minded and avoid me or make wrong assumptions about my intelligence or mock me. By accepting myself and being honest with people, I am are leaving the decisions they have to make totally up to them. This lets me know almost immediately who is going to accept me and who isn't. I met my husband in college. We were good friends at first. We both dated other people for a few months, then realized we wanted to be more than friends. He has always accepted me for who I am, and yes, if I give him the look, he will rescue me from a conversation I want of, or take over the role of talking. So I can just smile and nod my head politely. The more comfortable you are with yourself, the more confidence you will have. The more confidence you have, the more people will be comfortable around you. And at least for me, that helps me to relax more and stutter a bit less. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. There are more decent people out there than there are jerks out there. You will find someone who sees the real you and appreciates you for your intelligence and talents and love. And whenever someone mocks you, or avoids you, or questions your intelligence or abilities, remind your self that THEY are the ones missing out on the benefits of knowing you. You are NOT missing out on anything by not having them in your life.