A little over two years ago, I was in the worst depressive state of my whole life. I hated the world, I hated people and I hated myself. But in an awful period, I found a light.
There was a calm in the midst of my storm and his name is Ryan. Ryan looked past the damage that was being done to me emotionally and he saw me for who I was. He saw a girl who needed love. He saw a girl that had so much love to give, but no one to give it to. He saw a girl who needed someone to show her that there was still good in this world.
It did not happen overnight, but Ryan slowly helped me to recover, and restore my faith in mankind as a whole. He showed me that men were capable of love instead of only pain. Ryan enlisted in the military just days before we started dating, so from day one, our relationship was forced to become long distance; to some degree, I believe the Army has made us even stronger people and we learned how to love more deeply.
Ryan saved my life in many ways and I hope that every college student experiences something similar. I hope that other broken girls can find a Ryan. So often, young women are scarred from men and their bad experiences but people like Ryan are what can keep you going. He was my strength when I had none, and he gave me joy when I though all hope and happiness were lost.
My relationship with him has been ridiculed by many people and many loved ones. He was judged before anyone ever met him, and he was ousted by my family and some friends from the very beginning. But he stays because he loves me. Through all of the pain and heartache of having a relationship not supported by many, he stays and his faith in me never waivers. His love never waivers.
When he looks at me he does not see the person I used to be, he sees who I am becoming now. He sees that I am making a difference. He would lay down his life for me in a heartbeat and I would do the same for him. I look at him as my hero and my person. He is the person who saved my life, but he says I saved his as well. I need him and he needs me. He sees my flaws and quirks and loves me even more. He sees me learning to navigate pain and heartache on this earth and never leaves my side.
I may be young, but I am not naive. I know that I love this man and he makes me happy. I know that he is my person and I only hope that students and young adults in college can find their person. I hope everyone finds their best friend and I hope everyone gets to know that happiness and love that a significant other can provide. Ryan and I have withstood many trials and hardships in our young relationship, but that has only made us stronger. He was my blessing when I thought God had forsaken me. My person saved my life and I hope that you can find that one day too if you have not already.
