I have been there. I have been that girl in that relationship where I thought "Well, maybe my love will change him." or "Maybe if I stick around and wait, things will get better." It never did. Even when I stood my ground and made it known I wasn't going to be treated that way, it never got better.

I've known so many girls that do this. We sit there and put up with less than we deserve. We make compromises on what we yearn for from a relationship. We get into relationships with the wrong people because we have this never-ending aspiration of our love changing someone. But it doesn't work that way. Love isn't like that.

Love should never leave you questioning yourself or what you're doing wrong. Love should never make you feel small. Love should never make you feel like a doormat. Love isn't abusive, discriminatory, or selfish. It will never make you sacrifice your dignity, or undermine your self-value. Love should leave you fulfilled. Yeah, your partner is never going to be perfect, but they should make decisions with you in mind. With your relationship in mind. Especially if they say they love you.

What I know to be true of females is that we forget to love ourselves. We fail to put ourselves first. We overlook that we are absolutely worthy of unconditional love. We don't believe that we deserve everything we truly want out of a relationship.

It's important to love yourself first. Trust me. You have to realize you are precious. Some guy (or girl) is out there waiting for you. Not just someone like you; but you. The way you smile, the way you laugh; your ambition and your stubborn nature. Whatever you have to offer, the good and the bad, someone is going to appreciate you in full. I know that's hard to fathom, but trust me. You have to have faith that there is someone out there willing to give you not only what you need, but what you want. What you know you deserve, deep down.

A year ago, I never would have imagined I would find someone who appreciates and cares for me the way my boyfriend does. Honestly, I would've never thought I deserved someone like him. He is the person I prayed for and longed for, for so long, but I never even thought what I needed was out there. God has a sure-fire way of providing not only your needs, but your deepest desires. I never settled until God provided.

So, what's my point?

Nothing good comes from settling. I know this may sound fickle, but you should never settle for anything mediocre in your lifetime. You discredit yourself in doing so. Don't forget you have so much to offer someone. And someday, the person that realizes you are a prize will come into your life unexpectedly. Wait for it.