Yes @Mila14 you're right it's all in the degrees.
MrCars is self aware and caring/empathetic but can and does wang on about his specialist subjects for more than a NT person would. Luckily for him each of the topics give me the fanny gallops listening to him (music, cars, gardening, animals, food and tech). He has a beautiful sexy voice too. Luscious accent.
My son is fully diagnosed autistic but high functioning autistic (he used to identify as Asperger's but they don't give it that label anymore) and is lovely
My dad is undiagnosed and appalling no interest in anyone.
He's lived with women I think (Cars not my dad). Maybe not. Longest relationship was 4 years.
Has had very long bad bachelor lad spells and many years out of dating.
You are right it is unusual isn't it. Sometimes I think my head needs a wobble for not spotting or thinking these things.
He's incredibly domesticated - brilliant cook, clean and tidy, funny, crazily clever, plays amazing guitar and sings in a band, at the top of his game professionally (similar to my role), fitted his own kitchen and of course renovates his fleet of many amazing cars.
He thinks I'm ace. I know he does. He says it occasionally. Not at all lovebomby just feels like I know he's keen to see me, tells me I'm awesome, beautiful and doesn't want to mess it up but still speaks his mind.
I sometimes wonder what relationship path my own life would have taken if not got back with XH 2 years after chucking him and his mentalness 6 months after we met I hadn't really found anyone 'right' for me until then aged 26.
Maybe I'm autistic too? I think my daughters probably are.
Maybe I'd not have settled with anyone and had a career, hobbies, dogs and holidays... (and money sigh)
With a bit of luck Cars and I will realise we are a brill match.
He's not very tactile (bit but not loads) and strangely I cannot keep my hands off him when we're together.
I watched him walk across a car park today from a secret spot and thought 'Phwoar' earlier which was good to note given our forthcoming away night (which I'm really nervous about but wine will sort im sure)
He's a very interesting character not least because his mother abandoned him as a baby and his (academic musical) dad raised him and his brother alone. Only saw her once or twice a year.