With all the stories we hear about dating today, it can sometimes be hard to imagine that there are real relationships out there. For a long time, I didn't believe there was, or that there ever would be again. My generation, the millennial generation, is obsessed with ideals that always seemed strange to me: unfaithfulness and distrust, hookups, passive aggressiveness, and the need to make everything in a relationship seem like it's no big deal.
At the same time, my generation is also obsessed with tagging pictures of couples or actions of other couples that do not follow those ideals as "goals." They idealize all of these seemingly negative things, but then also expect their significant other to go above-and-beyond for them by buying them expensive things or portraying huge, elaborate "Promposals" and other things of the sort. How can you idealize both of these different things at the same time?
In a time where the "dating scene" is so contradictory and confusing, I am so glad to say that I've found something that I think is much more genuine and beautiful than anything this "Hookup Culture" ever provided me previously, or ever could have provided me at all. My wonderful boyfriend of almost a year and a half has provided me with everything that is the opposite of what comes along with dating today; we are both fully committed to each other and trust each other with our whole hearts; we are not just in it for the physicality that comes along with relationships; we are open and honest with each other, no matter the situation; however we express our love to each other, we do it hugely and with passion and a heart full of love and we do not make our feelings for each other seem insignificant or meaningless; even the smallest of gestures does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. And because of all of this, we are our own "goals."
Our relationship is everything I could have asked for in a relationship. Because of him, I believe that I have truly learned what it means to love someone. And while I may still be young and naive and have a lot of learning to do, right now I believe that what I have is what love is supposed to be. I wish that anyone and everyone could be lucky enough feel the way I feel because everyone deserves to have the kind of love that I believe I have.
*Disclaimer: I am not trying to put down those who believe the opposite of me. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts, opinions, relationships, and experiences. You do you, Boo!
