When I was little, I always wanted to go to the beach.
I remember looking out through the backseat windows of my mom's Nissan Rogue as we drove along the A1A, watching the sun glimmer off of the ocean waves, yearning for the opportunity to jump in the clear water and be immersed in millions of teeny tiny water molecules. I remember laughing as I tried to float on my back (I never succeeded, by the way) and collect seashells, which were almost always taken away by the waves. I remember how I could've stayed out there for hours without even realizing how much time was passing by. And I especially remember how difficult it was to pull myself away.
Realizing you love someone is like running out into the freezing cold saltwater. You're shocked at first and you may even want to get out as quickly as possible; however, you get used to it almost instantly. Instead of feeling cold, you feel like you're being wrapped in a warm hug. And most importantly, you never want to leave.
Continuously loving someone and being loved in return is comforting. The butterflies in your stomach never seem to completely go away. You still get excited to do new activities, see new places, and learn new things. It makes you feel like a kid again. It makes me feel like I'm still in the ocean.
I feel like although love is different for everyone, it is all fundamentally the same. Whether your love feels like a scorching flame, a warm fireplace, or a small candle, it doesn't matter. It will light up something inside you just the same.
When love is real, it makes you want to be the best version of yourself possible, while also pushing your partner to reach their full potential. Your person does not consume your entire life, but rather, they enhance it.
While love may not always be seamless, that's what makes it love. You don't quit when things get rocky, and neither does your other half. Life is not always smooth sailing; sometimes the waves get a bit too overwhelming. But just like the tides, that comes and goes.
Sometimes we get carried away during day-to-day life and don't take the time out to really appreciate our significant other. While this may be the case, I know I personally try my best to constantly let my person know they're on my mind (which he has been during the 2 hours it's taken me to write this.)
Valentine's Day is approaching fast, and it's during this time that I like to reflect on the person I love and why I love them.
Take the time to do the same for your loved one this year.
