Who remembers the first date they went on? The feeling of butterflies in your stomach, that feeling unexplainable to anyone but yourself. Have you ever thought that this first impression was what was going to break or make you? We try to be the perfect date so that the person we are seeing looks ar us as if we were flawless. Well, what if instead, we acted as if every day was the first date? What if each time you saw someone, you thought of them as the first time you met them and that moment you gave to them was the first encounter all over again? We could use this analogy with everyone we meet. We take our friend's kindness and tolerance of us for granted, but what if we had the mentality that every time we were together was the first time?

I have been a good friend, a good brother and a good companion, but I can't say that I've never done anyone wrong. I can't say that I haven't said a rude thing or hurt someone I cared about with my actions and words, but because of our history, I did not consider that my actions could drive them away. But, if I went in with the mentality that this was a first encounter with them, and how I responded would be how they saw me, would I be kinder and keep trying to be the best that I can in that relationship? We need to understand that no one is promised to be anything of yours. Friendships and relationships are based on how you care for them; if you treat them badly, then that relationship is weak and won't be able to withstand the winds of life and tribulations that come with it. If you worked on it daily and tried to be the best and give your best, then that relationship will be strong and healthy, and though trying times will come and mistakes will be made, they wouldn't be able to destroy your relationship.

I smile to myself and think of the blessings I have gotten from knowing the people in my life. Whether they were for a season or for life, God placed them in my life for a reason deeper than my own understanding. I will cherish those conversations and those memories because they are irreplaceable. I love all my friends, family, and loved ones. I love the ones that had to go, and the ones that stayed (and even the ones I have not met yet.) I can't wait to see what the future has in these relationships. Until then, I will show the people in my life the me they met that first time.