Love, a four letter word that holds so much meaning, yet it is used so carelessly. Love is a messily beautiful concoction, filled with vulnerability and wonder, not knowing what the next page entails. We seek to be encompassed with the all-consuming feeling of being the only one in the room, to feel as though we have cheated the hands of time and held them still.

We, the romantics of an era that is focused on materialistic values have the world against us. We are characterized as weak for being a romantic: silly and irrational. We are labeled by those that fear the unknown, not being in control, seekers of a false power in standing alone. I purpose that we're the brave ones, putting ourselves out there, letting our walls down. They say that love is a war and I can attest that is true, not because it is deceitful or malicious, but because we have the elements of our society berating us.

The beauty of loving and being loved is the unity that is formed of two souls: a comrade, a co-conspirator, a keeper of your secrets. The simplicity of feeling grounded is immeasurable. Don't wave your white flag in surrender; stand for love, for that is strength and true beauty. Love with an effervescence so powerful that the allure of being alone begins to crumble.

Love is a rabbit hole, a glimpse of heaven on earth. It's an opportunity to know God in a way that wasn't possible before. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love..." (1 John 4:7,8) We, the romantics need to continue to look up at the speckled night sky and gaze upon the beauty of the stars dripping from the blackened oasis and remember that we are a reflection of God to the watching world.