My dating life has always been more difficult than I'd like to admit, only because I made it that way. I am a firm believer in that, you have to find happiness within yourself in order to truly be happy with someone else. Although self-love is something that an individual never truly ends the struggle with, I know for a fact that taking some time to learn to love and appreciate unique qualities about yourself and the person you want to be with makes all the difference in the world.

I am so lucky because I have been in awe at what my heart is capable of for the last few months. This is why it is so important to find someone who brings out the absolute best in you; someone that will call you out on your wrong-doings, and will also be there for you when you fall down. This kind of love is what I am most thankful for. It has made a huge difference in my life and also what I hold dear to me.

All you need is love. It's better to be truly loved by one person than to have hundreds of people tell you they love you and then be forced to watch as they do nothing to show or prove that. I have learned that the little things count more than anything else. I have learned that it's all about how you treat the ones you care for. I have learned that no one can determine my happiness but me, so I must do whatever I can to make this life count. I am forever grateful for these lessons, and the one who's been there for me when no one else was.

I have also been guarded, and I believe that we all are, to an extent. I guess in a way, this is a good and bad thing. No one wants to be hurt. No one wants to be used. No one wants heartbreak. We throw up walls in order to cushion our hearts and to prepare for the worst.

This isn't always what's best for us, and we may find that we lose a good thing if we act this way. I have learned that taking the risk is beyond worth it, and after a few heartbreaks, I have learned that what's meant to be will always find a way. Taking risks has provided me with a best friend for life.

In conclusion, there are people out there with good intentions, a man or a woman who will love you, cherish you, and build you up. Taking a chance could be the best thing you ever do. Even though we are each strong enough to live on our own, it's okay to let others in and allow them to be apart of our lives.

We owe it to ourselves to do what it takes to be happy. Everyone deserves to do what makes them the best version of themselves. We don't, and shouldn't be dependent on anyone for our happiness, but we all need someone to lean on from time to time, and I am so thankful to have that.