Here's the thing about love: it's not always flowers and chocolates and lovey-dovey PDA. It's not constant flirting or endless mushy gushy talk. It's not. Sorry if that is a spoiler alert to some of you, but hey, reality check for ya. It's especially none of those things if you're in a relationship with me. Ask my boyfriend. He has the hardest job in the world and he does a darn good job of it.

As our anniversary approaches, I just wanted to take a minute (or a few) to gush about how amazing and awesome my boyfriend and our relationship are. This is where some of you close the article, roll your eyes, call me some demeaning name, or do all of the above. That's fine. I don't care one bit.

There's a stigma around people in relationships. They're weak. They're dependent. They're obsessed. The list goes on and on. I used to be the queen of mocking people in relationships. I was anti-relationships, anti-boyfriends, anti-love. Then (to be as cliche as possible), Michael came along.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't love at first sight or anything like that. I wanted nothing to do with him. He was intimidating and not at all my type (a.k.a. not a complete and total jerk). Yet, he persevered. If he hadn't, I wouldn't know how amazing of a person he is. It's funny how you think someone can be totally wrong for you, but they end up being the best complement.

I'm going to skip over our story. Our story is my favorite love story, as everyone's own love story should be. It's near and dear to my heart, as is he, but that's a story for another time.

Prior to Michael, my uncle told me that I am a "challenge." I, of course, took that personally and gave him sass right back. I didn't think anyone would stay with me after getting to know me beyond the surface, beyond what I let society see of me. I thought this because no one ever stayed. They all left. Michael didn't. Don't ask me why, I don't know. But, I'm so thankful in a way that I can't even put into words that he and I came together to become the us that we are. There's a reason why no one else stayed. Because they weren't supposed to. Michael was.

I don't believe in soulmates and I don't believe that everything happens for a reason. But, I do know that him and I coming together was not an accident.

I never knew that someone could support another in every single aspect of their life without bias, without selfishness, without a hidden agenda. Until Michael.

I never knew how deeply one could know all the tiny, intricate parts of another. Until Michael.

I never knew how one person could be so many things for another. Until Michael.

He has helped me grow as a person in a way I don't know if I would have if it weren't for him. He has helped me find things to love about myself even on my darkest of days. I admire his positive outlook on life, his dedication to creating the best possible life for himself, and his ability to look beyond the worst of days to a future he knows will be brighter.

I won't go on and on (even though I could). I'll just say that my heart is swelling with love for him, and right when I think there's no way I could possibly love him any more, I always do. I hope everyone finds someone who makes them feel loved in a way they never knew existed.

Thank you, Michael, for all you do for me and all you'll no doubt continue to do. You're my rock in a world that is constantly changing. You are my best friend in the whole world. I can only hope that I make you half as happy as you make me.

Also, can we get Taco Bell next time I see you?