If you are familiar with the Bible, especially when talking about the delicate intricacies of faith and romantic relationships, you will have heard Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

When you hear something over and over and over again, you get so over it. You give the typical eye roll, thinking you truly know what they’re talking about. I didn't even grow up in a Christian home, but I have heard that verse tied into relationship talks so many times even I adopted that “know it all” response, because obviously I knew.

Well, to no one's surprise, I didn't know. I didn't know that you truly do need to guard your heart.

If you don't guard your heart it will be broken. It's the sad, simple, brutally honest truth. The wrong person will think the little lies are okay. The wrong person won't take the future of your relationship seriously. The wrong person won't fulfill those “promising” midnight whispers.

So, why? Why bother with this, “guarding your heart?”

It's to prepare, preserve and be certain.

In preparation, you are figuring out the type of person you want to be with, but equally as important, who you want to be. Though roles in partnerships might be different, equity is not. Both sides need to be cognizant of finding out what they want in themselves and in another. Both people need to be right and ready for each other; It's a two way street.

With preservation, you establish your boundaries for your future happiness and healthiness of your next relationship. Being emotionally and physically safe is something so essential because it will save you from heartbreak while allowing you to keep your end goal in mind. I hope, Lord willing, that I will be a wife and a mother one day. Therefore, I am going to set parameters to protect my future self, to make sure I am building myself to be the best wifey and mommy I can be.

For certainty, it's to be unequivocally set on the other person while also making sure you're ready to devote and commit yourself too. Will they be there in the morning when you wake up? Will they be there for me when tragedy strikes? Am I emotionally mature to handle breaking down my walls, exposing to healthy, yet always intimidating, vulnerability? Make sure you're set on the other person before dipping into intimacy.

I can't tell you who the right person will be for you. I can't tell you how much is too much. All of that will be determined under your jurisdiction, but those are questions you will have to answer with choices you have to make.

All in all, guard your heart. Be careful and don't settle. Scripture provides this knowledge to protect our heart and soul, to guide us in being aware of consequences our choices come with, and to make sure our lives are the happiest and healthiest they can be.

Make sure the best, most precious parts of you are completely and fully given to the right person. There is so much that is wonderful, unique and beautiful about you that deserves to be cherished by the right person. One who will wipe your ugly mascara boogers; one who will still be there when you wake up in the morning; one who will want nothing more than to put a smile on your face and fall for that twinkle in your eyes.

Give the best of you to who will be the best for you.

Save the best of you for the person who will be the best to you.