Years ago I met a man with an incredible water-filtering technology. I suggested putting his filter inside a reusable drinking straw.
We met to develop the idea, and somewhere along the way business turned into a long romantic fling, and later a fun friendship.
He verbally committed that I would remain involved, and we discussed a licensing deal. When he got married, we stopped talking. Then the product moved forward without me. Now it is one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2024.
Do I sue? I have not decided. It hurts that the commitment was not honoured. It is also kind of incredible to see the idea succeed — and it proves my instincts were right.
The lesson is not cynical, it is procedural. When business, friendship and romance overlap, get it in writing. Ideas matter. Boundaries matter. Documentation matters. So does self-respect.