Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.
When it comes to relationships? What does it mean to love someone?
I'm not an expert on this subject and I’m too far from perfection-- I've learned a few things along the way that have helped me understand what it means to be in love. Most importantly, I've learned that love is an immeasurable force that cannot be underestimated. We cannot force it.
Love entails not looking for anything better or exploring what is out there. It entails committing to that person because you believe they fulfill you in every aspect. It does not imply becoming a carbon copy of another individual, but rather fitting in seamlessly. Your characteristics complement each other, resulting in better versions of you both.
Love entails waking up early and making pancakes to show you care. It entails going out of your way to make someone smile and, without thinking about it, sacrificing everything for them when smiles aren't suitable.
Sometimes love requires screaming at the top of your lungs. It entails caring so deeply about the other person that you can't help but become enraged when your connection is brought into doubt. It means fighting for it back.
Love encompasses smiling for no reason and giggling at the tickling of butterflies in your tummy.
Love means not needing frequent touch, whether in person or by text, to feel safe. It entails believing them in every manner possible and gaining their reciprocal trust in you.
Love includes self-love. It entails constantly being your authentic self and never conforming to another person's standards. It means resting soundly at night knowing that someone else understands just as well as you do how beautiful you are despite all our imperfections.
Love requires gazing into their eyes for hours that feel like minutes. It means breathing coolly while enclosed in their arms and being one with their heartbeat while your head rests against their chest.
Love entails giving up to an incredible power that binds two people together in the most bizarre ways. It entails waiting for the stars to align, which can be a lengthy process. It entails enduring terrible dates and boring conversations in line at the coffee shop until your turn comes. It entails handing over control to a stronger force and going along for the ride.
Sometimes, love brings disappointments. It indicates crushed hearts and crimson, teary eyes. It involves taking a chance on someone and getting disappointed. It means learning the hard way that you cannot force someone to love you.
When love finds you, it is worth every brief high and down. Love, while it may wane, never gives up on you. Love that departs is not lost -- it will come back to you sometime, perhaps when you least expect it or when you most want it. Love does not follow anybody else's rules.
We’ve been through ups and downs, this 11 years together is not easy. It takes two courageous individuals to step up and make love grow.
It’s about much more than lavish vacations or cute matching outfits. It is always both of you who will handle the relationship to last.
The most important is that you are constantly reconnected and make sure you’re still on the same page.