He is a special type of person in this world who is often misunderstood. He sees the world for all it can and should be though the world rarely sees him. He has an old soul, someone so in-tune with life, and so aware of emotion, that he scares most. Not because of who he is, but because of who we aren’t, and what we lack. Loving him changed my life.
My boyfriend and I met through mutual friends. We started hanging out as a group and he came around when he wasn’t out of town for work. When we met, we were both in relationships. His was serious, and mine, not so much. I was just trying to fill a void, which never seemed to work out. It’s like I would give them a chance and I would always find something wrong and break it off. I never wanted to be in a serious relationship, I was honestly scared to ever be in one again. I thought all relationships were controlling and manipulating. As time went on, he became my best friend. He always looked out for me, and he met every guy I had interest in. Which he never approved of, I guess now we know why.
One night I got a call from a friend of ours saying Braden’s girlfriend left him. So naturally, I got in my car and went to him, because that’s what best friends do. As the night went on, he was laughing and joking, it didn’t really seem to phase him much. Things continued on as normal, we talked regularly and hung out with our little group every weekend. A couple friends and I went to eat one night and he struck up a conversation about Braden. Then started to ask me questions, like how I felt about him and what not. Very obvious questions. I never really thought of Braden as more than my best friend, until that night.. Later on I got a text message, and guess who it was? He asked if I would mind meeting him at a restaurant since he was working so we could talk. I did as promised.
The very next day, I got a text from him that said; “I really hate that I’m doing this over a text message and not in person. But I don’t know when I will be off work to ask you again. And I don’t want to wait any longer. Will you go out with me?” I was so nervous. I was so confused, because of the fact I liked him, but I didn’t want to mess up our friendship. I didn’t want to take that risk. Despite my thoughts, this actually felt right. He already knows everything about me, he knows what I like and what I don’t like. He knows that I’m extremely ticklish, and that I eat my food in a certain order. He knows my family, and that I hate wearing shoes. He knows all my quirks. He knows me as an imperfect person and yet, he still chose me. He chose to deal with me despite all my imperfections.
Braden came from a small town an hour away from me. He came from a rough childhood and he was raised by his grandparents. Which, in my opinion, was the best thing to ever happen to him. They taught him that just because your parents are the way they are, doesn’t mean you have to be. You have to learn and force yourself to be different. They are his saving grace.
He came to see me every chance he got, and spoiled me rotten with his attention. (he probably regrets that now, LOL) He’s so different in ways I almost can’t explain. When we got together, he never changed the way he was. He never controlled me, he never degraded me. He accepted me for exactly who I am and never thought to change me. I got the simple small town country boy, that stole my heart from the beginning. He enjoys the finer things in life, but lives for the simple things. He takes care of me more than I would ever ask him to.
After 3 years of being together, he has seen me at my absolute bottom & has continued to pick me up. He has loved me, and supported me in everything I set my mind to. He helps me in any way he can, even if I just need someone to listen to me ramble. He taught me the true meaning of love. He shows me off in his own way, by loving me and spoiling me with his attention and protection. He taught me that social media is irrelevant, and that he doesn't have to make a post to let people know how much he loves me. He always tells me, "I would rather show YOU, than tell every one else." Actions always speak louder than words. And he was right, I have never been more happy than I am with him.
Never be afraid to take a chance with someone. Because in the end, you might miss out on something as amazing falling in love with your best friend. When God sends you the man you are called to be with, you'll know. This man will speak to not your body, but your spirit. You will experience something with him that you have never experienced before. He will love you in ways that other men didn't. Just wait. It will be so worth it when you meet him.
