Boyfriend builds a “nest” for girlfriend while he plays, shares the Internet

A woman went viral on social media after showing off the adorable “nest” her boyfriend created for her while he played, but internet users have a lot to say about the idea.

Charlotte Tucksmith loves nothing more than spending time with her boyfriend, James Spitzenberger; whether they’re exploring the streets of Brooklyn, New York, or just hanging out at their apartment. Tucksmith said Newsweek that they “never get tired of each other” and that they treasure every moment they spend together.

When the full-time ICU nurse isn’t working, she wants to be there for her boyfriend, even when he’s playing video games. So much so that Spitzenberger even built a little nest next to his monitor so Tucksmith can read and relax in the same room while he plays.

“One day he said he wanted to play a little game, and I told him I wanted to have a place where I could read nearby. So he took the couch cushions off and made a perfect little spot for me,” Tucksmith said. Newsweek via TikTok.

“I love it because it’s comfortable, the lighting is nice, and it’s different than lying in bed or on the couch. It has a different feel that’s also more pleasant.”

Working 12-hour shifts means Tucksmith spends most of his time each week working and sleeping. He likes to make the most of his days off and spend them with Spitzenberger whenever he gets the chance.

When they’re not trying new restaurants or strolling through nearby parks, it can be nice for them to each pursue their own independent hobbies around the apartment. For Spitzenberger, that means gaming a few times a week, while Tucksmith prefers reading and crafting.

“Our time together is special to us, even though we live together, so we don’t want to waste our days off while he plays video games in another room,” she added.

“He’s not a big gamer, he only does it two to three times a week. I rarely read or create because I’d rather be with him. So it’s nice that we’ve found a way to do separate things while still being in each other’s presence.”

So thrilled by her boyfriend’s gesture, Tucksmith shared a video on TikTok (@miss.crabrangoon) to reveal the special “nest” he had created. The video instantly went viral, with over 3.8 million views and over 338,000 likes on TikTok in a matter of days.

She never expected her short clip to garner so much attention online, but it has certainly sparked debate among TikTok users, with many agreeing that it’s a great way for them to be together while doing their own thing, while others wonder why it’s necessary.

“I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before, so it was really fun to read the comments and watch the views grow,” Tucksmith said.

“At first all the comments were really nice and supportive but after a few days I started getting a flood of hate from people saying it was a wake-up call, that it was promoting lazy behaviour or telling me I was acting like their dog.

“At first I was angry because I felt the need to defend myself, but then I realized that people were going to hate no matter what. My film was innocent and if people chose to be angry about it, that’s their problem.”

Luckily, Tucksmith added that most of the responses she received were positive and fun, and many told her about their nests, too.

Despite what others think, she said doing their own thing in each other’s presence is a great way to be together while also taking time for themselves. “We’re very happy that we can be happy to be in each other’s presence in this way,” Tucksmith said Newsweek.

With such a wide range of opinions and debates online, the viral TikTok post has already garnered over 1,700 comments. One comment reads, “now that’s love.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “Parallel play is the best, a lot of these comments must be about new relationships or ones where he’s not trying, we need independent time alone.”

Not everyone is on board, though, as one TikTok user responded: “you deserve better (what the f**k). He should be spending time with you, not keeping you around while he plays.”

“I blame you both. Him for doing it and you for accepting it,” reads another comment.

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