“So do you still believe in love?” I loved the way my mother said “still.”

Love is something that we are all raised to believe and want. At one point we realize it is this huge idolized idea that is formed on two people living happily ever after. That is bullshit. At one point we realize love is like the Easter bunny, and Santa Claus. It is something that made life seem easier, maybe even a bit better. When you love someone, you love them. It does not matter if their favorite food is tacos and you like Italian food. It does not matter if their favorite color is white and you think white is boring. It does not matter if their favorite song is by The Beatles but you like The Front Bottoms. It does not matter if their favorite holiday is a holiday you do not even celebrate. None of that matters.

You do not have to be the same exact person with the same interests. But when you fall in love with someone, you will begin to love their favorite food after all of the nights you two spend in the kitchen cooking it together. You will see the color white and immediately think of how pure that color is because that was the reason they like white. You will start to celebrate that holiday with them because they love it. You will let them blare their favorite Beatles song because you want to hear them sing it to you. When you love someone it is not a fairy tale.

You will love someone regardless of your differences, because it is crazy to think of living in this world alone. Parts of the person you love will become a part of you. You may close your eyes when going over railroad tracks like they do. Roses may remind you of Beauty and the Beast because that was their favorite Disney movie. But in no realistic circumstance is love real. When I was little, I thought love was all about rose petals in bathtubs and a dinner on the beach during sunset.

Truth is, the idea of love, is giving half of your chips to her because she is still hungry. It is waking up to him at 3 in the morning to him snoring and resisting on moving to the couch. It is talking in deep voices to make on another laugh. Love is trying to embarrass each other in the silliest ways. It is driving in the car and ending up on an adventure. It is stupid fights over who did not refill the coffee pot. It is about the memorable makeups when he brings you a taco because that is your favorite food.

Love is not pretty and romantic. Love is stumbling through life with your best friend and partner. Always remember, thought, make sure that romantic love is not the only love your strive for. Fall in love with every single person you meet. Wait for romantic love to find you.