“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love represents many things in a multitude of different cultures and countries across the world. Some people find love in the solitude of their bed on a lazy Sunday. Others find comfort by dedicating themselves to their career. You know where I find my love? It’s you.

From the moment I laid eyes on you, it was as if my soul was replaying a thousand lives that we lived before with each other. There were no more noises or constant thoughts bouncing off the inside of my usually busy mind. It was calm and focused on the image of you.

Saying “I love you” means that I accept you for the person that you are and that I do not wish to change you into something that you are not. It means that I do not expect perfection from you, just as you shouldn’t from me.

It means that I will love you and stand by you even through the worst of times.

It means loving you when you’re down, not just when you’re fun to be with.

I love you means that I know your deepest secrets, which I’d protect with everything in me. It means I’d never judge you for them, asking only in return that you don’t judge me for mine.

I love you for your laugh, which resonates in whatever room you’re in, the playfulness and joy for life that you have, the ability to make me laugh when all I want to do is cry.

I love you because you stood beside me during some of my darkest times and weren’t quick to point fingers.

I love you for how you push me to do better, how you are genuinely interested in what my goals and dreams are. I love you for everything you see wrong with yourself, because I think it all makes up a wonderful man.

I love you because it isn’t forced. It just feels natural like something I’ve always been meant to do. I love you because you didn’t ask me to, you didn’t push me and you didn’t expect more out of me than being who I am.

All I know is that loving you sometimes seems surreal, but I wouldn't want to feel this way about anyone else. The memories we've shared and the feelings that have transpired are things that I will never let go of are the reasons why I will always love you.