About a year ago, I started a relationship with the most amazing millennial that I know. He is kind, selfless, compassionate, Christ-led, God-fearing, and above all else, patient beyond measure. I appreciate that he is kind, I love that he is selfless and full of compassion, I am inspired by his submission to God, but I am unimaginably THANKFUL that he is patient.

Growing up in a home being the only girl, and the only child period, patience was one of my "less developed" traits. I can honestly say that it is by no fault of my parents, though, they did the best that they could with the "handful" that they were given (ie. me). I can still hear my dad's favorite fall back parenting phrase "patience is a virtue, Amanda" when difficult situations arise in my life. And I can also still feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head just about every time the phrase comes to my mind. Nonetheless, I find it ironic that God managed to pair me with one of the most patient men on the planet. It's almost as if God sends us someone who is just similar enough to harbor a connection with, but just different enough to create a healthy, beautiful balance. Praise Him for His mysterious ways and perfect plans!

Frankly, my boyfriend is the best of the best when it comes to patience, and I have many testimonies to prove that my theory is completely correct. We balance each other out very well, and his patience is just one of many great qualities to attest to that.

I will start with my peculiar music selection. I'm not sure why, but I have a very strange and very random taste in music. In most social circles, this would be deemed a great quality, but to my boyfriend, it is probably kind of irritating. I think the category that makes him cringe the most would be my life-long adoration for 1990's and early 2000's pop. I could listen to boy bands and Britney Spears every day for the rest of my life and die a very happy lady. I don't discriminate, though, I love pretty much ALL pop music. From Hilary Duff to Taylor Swift, I always turn to those classics when I'm having a bad day. (Yes, I'm a basic white girl. Thank you, Captain Obvious). But my boyfriend is not a basic white girl. He does not enjoy daily jam out sessions to T-swift and the Spice Girls (which I find rather unfortunate). But my super sweet boyfriend puts up with most some classic pop tunes on the stressful days where he knows I need it the most. And don't tell anyone, but I think he even enjoys it (sometimes). Watching an extremely swole black guy thoroughly jam out to Michelle Branch is one of life's greatest pleasures (think Terry Crews in White Chicks).

Aside from my questionable music choices, my sweetheart also deals with 100 percent of my CONTINUAL religious, societal, and political rants. And in case you were questioning the length of these bad boys, let's just say that there is no word limit on my soap box rants (unlike my rants on Odyssey). My boyfriend gets completely aggressive, unadulterated, unfiltered, crazy passionate rants almost daily. I literally talked about human trafficking for a good 25 minutes on our first date... and he actually asked me out on a second one. I'd say that was the first official sign that my man was a keeper!

Also, this precious, God-fearing man rarely says no to my adventures. He works quite a bit, so our time together can be limited. While we definitely enjoy our nights in, he will always make time for the random Whataburger cravings, my strange desire to go see that one awkward and poorly made movie, or on a really good day, he will even to accompany me on my trip to get a pedicure. Whether it be a random human trafficking benefit event or just some incredible food, He finds a way. He will drive across town with me for a really good snow-cone, just because he knows that I've had a rough week, and snow-cones might be one of the only things to make me smile that day. His commitment to my happiness is unlike anything I have ever seen.

These are just a few examples of his ever-lasting patience and numerous endearing qualities. I have met so many men over the years, and I'll be honest, most probably would not be able to handle me. During one of our first conversations, I boldly warned him that I was "crazy" and that he was in for a wild ride if he stuck around. His response was that he "loves a challenge" and that he would "never give up" on me. Here we are, a year later, and I think I am just now finally accepting his words as a reliable truth. But I know that his patience and love aren't merely a human trait. God is granting Him with so much more than maybe he even realizes. Proverbs 14:29 says, "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." I cannot think of a better verse to describe the love of my life. He has great patience because he has a great understanding. He understands what it means to love unconditionally through Christ our Lord, he understands what a successful relationship entails, and he understands what it means to fully accept and love me for all that I am. My boyfriend is not quick-tempered, unreasonable, or crass at all. He finds new ways to love me with every day that passes, and it's not because he is perfect, it's because he understands what it means to love.

I thank God for such a beautiful and tremendous gift every day because this man's patience has been a solid component at the foundation of our relationship from day one. However, his patience has most especially come in handy during these last few months with my unpredictable income and intermittent unemployment. God has granted us both with different unique qualities and abilities that we each bring to the relationship, but his patience has meant so much to me.

To my soul mate: After losing my job, I wasn't exactly the sweetest girlfriend to have, but you stood by me through every fight that I started and every unreasonable tantrum. Your resilience and your perpetual dependence on God is what kept us strong during these last few months. I thank God for your patience, but most of all, I thank God for you. He knew just what to bless me with and exactly when to do it. Our first year has been a "wild ride" to say the least, but I am looking forward to so many more wild, unpredictable, absolutely insane moments, years, and decades with you. Thank you for taking me exactly as I am, and loving every inch of my strengths and weaknesses. You are immeasurably irreplaceable.