I was raised Lutheran growing up: baptized, confirmed and all. When I reached sophomore year of high school, I was first opened to the concept of indulgences among other corrupt actions of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. This is what began my questioning of faith, and not only my own Christian faith, but Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

I won't lie, I used to be militant. People who know me are aware of this. I used to view some religious individuals as dependent and naïve. I even used to refuse to have a religious partner because it was important to me to share that belief.

For years, I had a relationship with someone who was also secular, therefore we agreed on a lot of social and ideological issues. It was enjoyable to send each other funny, sometimes rather offensive, memes or quotes by George Carlin, Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins, and other Atheist figures. I could not see myself ever with someone religious; it was too important to me to have that similarity.

I used to think I’d require someone of the same mind.

When I met my current partner, one of the first things we discussed was religion. I told him I'm Atheist; he told me he is Muslim. I was completely in the dark about Islam, so I had my opinions about it. Since then, and since I have fallen in love with him, my tolerance and openness toward faith has broadened, and it's liberating. I’ve been exposed to new customs, ways of prayer, traditions and a different culture.

Through this relationship, I’ve realized how important it is to share beliefs on certain topics like abortion, racial equality, feminism and how dogs are way better than cats (sorry, couldn’t resist throwing that one in there). I used to think religion would be one of those important beliefs required to be shared with me, and through this relationship, the person I’m with is worth more than a small difference.

I've learned about different holidays and traditions. During our first month of dating, it was Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. At first, I was nervous about it, because it meant we weren’t exactly encouraged to even hold hands. For a younger version of myself, this may have been hard to understand. Instead, that first month was, instead, a way that our emotional relationship became stronger. I saw him pray for the first time, and it was unique from the way I prayed when I believed in God.

We have even more enjoyable, thoughtful discussions on faith. I’ve asked him about the hijab and the burqa, and he’s asked me how I make sense of the world around me. Our conversations not only grow our understandings of each other’s religious (or lack of) perspectives, they help us both question and challenge our beliefs, perhaps solidifying them.

It’s impossible to learn new perspectives without exposure to them. While it is fun to agree on most things, I find this particular difference between us fascinating and an expression of tolerance.

Love is stronger than differences. When it comes down to it, differences don’t matter as long as values are similar. I’m dating my partner for who he is, and his religious beliefs are a part of the wonderful package. He is religious, he is Muslim, and I love him for it all. Who am I to cut off my love choices based on my lack of faith? This being said, if you are religious (or not) and find it crucial that your partner shares this belief, then that is up to you, as it is very important to some people.

To me, when it comes to love, it just doesn't matter. It's not like our ideologies and social values are immediately polarized if we have different faiths.

It would be boring to agree on everything.

Excitement is a perk all on its own.