Over a year ago, February 21st 2014, I was standing in my room attempting to get ready for what I had convinced myself “was not a date.” I was about to go to dinner and a show at the Lied Center with someone that I hadn’t seen in over a year. I was trying not to get my hopes up for what that night could be and while I was busy convincing myself that it was “no big deal,” my roommates and mom were rolling their naivety.
It amazes me at how clueless we can be about what our futures have in store for us. By the end of the night I had enjoyed a wonderful dinner, great conversation, and fun at the show but by then I had convinced myself that we were just two friends enjoying each other’s company.
Luckily, God had something else planned for me.
Here I am, more than a year later still having dinner with that same man. Not only have I learned what an incredible person he is, but he has helped me learn more about myself and the world around me. We are now celebrating our first year together and it is more incredible than I could have ever imagined.
Although I am still growing up, my younger self didn’t know what to expect for my future in terms of love. We grow up watching fairytales and love stories unfold or crash in film and television. Our minds are filled with what love and relationships “should be.” These messages make us question every move we make and wonder why our love isn’t perfect like we see in movies.
My idea of a perfect love has drastically changed over the past year. I haven’t lowered my expectations or given up on that perfect love. I have found my perfect love; the kind that leaves you breathless, when you dance around the kitchen as you cook dinner, laughing and smiling as you enjoy a run together, and grin over your cup of coffee in the morning just because they are there with you.
That’s not to say that this past year hasn’t been without its challenges and obstacles. There have been tears, worries, arguments, and fears, but none of that could ever take away from the incredible relationship that we have developed.
Finding a perfect love doesn’t mean that there wont be any struggle. A perfect love means that no matter what you go through, the love that you have for that person and their love for you never changes.
Love will be different for everyone. What we see in movies and television cannot teach us what love is. We have to learn what our love is for ourselves. I am just so thankful that I have found mine.