You’re always the friend sobbing like a child at the end of flicks like Titanic. You’re the one who can’t stop thinking about alternate endings for those tragic movies, and can’t stop feeling some sort of connection with those characters.

You’re the one who fantasizes about your wedding day-dreaming about what your dress will look like, what kinds of flowers you’ll choose, where it will take place.

You’re the one praying for your prince charming to (maybe even literally) sweep you off your feet. You dream about the moment you’ll meet the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, hoping that love at first sight is what will happen.

You’re the one wishing for roses left at your front door, love notes stuck in your windshield. You desire dates that include blankets laid out beneath the stars, late night ocean swims, a candlelit dinner. You’re the one who would melt at a poem written about yourself, tears streaming down your cheeks as you read the sweet words.

You’re the one who has settled over and over again, yet still holds faith that you’re going to be the one to have a great, life-changing love that can instill hope for your fellow hopeless romantics.

You think your expectations are unrealistic at times. At times, they probably are. No man is going to be perfect-not as perfect as the men in those darn romance movies that give all of us a tainted concept of love. But, don’t lose your hope.

I know in this world of technology that many believe one of the most romantic gestures is a #WCW or a good morning text- it’s sad that so many settle for this. Sure, it’s nice — cute even — but it's easy. Anyone can do it at any time. They’re not going out of their way to show you that they care. They’ve probably been on their phone for hours anyway. We don’t necessarily need a big spectacle, just something that shows your dedication and compassion. Actions really do speak louder than words- we want you to show us your love more than just saying it.

So, to my hopeless romantic peers, keep your hope. There are still people out there who will rub your shoulders after a long day of work, surprise you with dinner when you get home, or simply open up your car door for you. Being a hopeless romantic doesn’t mean that your expectations have to be hopeless; we just expect more from our significant other. It doesn’t mean that we are weak or unrealistic. We crave a little bit more of those cute gestures, and that’s totally acceptable. Trust me, “the one” is out there who will go out of their way to show you they care and appreciate you. You deserve everything you’ve dreamt of. Just keep your eyes open and don’t settle.