Growing up in a Christian environment, one key phrase finds itself deeply interwoven in the culture: "True love waits." When this phrase is mentioned, it is usually within a conversation about waiting until marriage to have sex. However, in a millennial generation, it isn't just about sex before marriage. It's about relationships.
Along with physical intimacy, there is also emotional intimacy. Relationships are often built on the emotions a couple feels when they believe that they are in love. Some people are romantics and fall in and out of love often, while others take their time. How do you know that you can be in love? Is being in a solid relationship really worth the wait?
In a modern society, it is easy to find the latest dating app and talk to locals in a "safe" environment. We want a screening process when trying to find a significant other. Often people choose to ignore people or friendzone them when they do not meet the image that person has created in their mind of what the perfect boyfriend or girlfriend looks like. These unrealistic expectations are not healthy. Just like people want the perfect body or the perfect Instagram photo, they also want the perfect significant other and they want that person immediately.
It's hard to wait for a certain person. We are so impatient that we willingly give away our hearts at the first sign of attraction. You attempt to test out the waters and put yourself out there, only to get rejected and leading you back into a spiral of waiting for your expectations to be met. There is nothing wrong with having standards, but you cannot expect that the person that is meant for you is going to perfect.
Everyone has flaws. Your neighbor, your celebrity crush, and even that kid you liked in third grade has flaws. These flaws make us human. Our future partner is strong where we are weak. We are strong where they have flaws. That's what allows us to complete one another.
I believe that humans were not made to be alone. God paired Eve with Adam so that they would not be alone and they could help each other throughout life. Even fictional couples compliment one another. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, despite their pride and prejudice at the novel's beginning, are a perfect match for one another. Authors that wrote about great romances must have been inspired by something. If these protagonists can wait for love, then why can't we?
We often think that sex is the most precious thing we can give away, but it's not. It's our heart. Hearts are often misleading and often have to break in order to help us wait patiently for that someone. Even in the darkest of times, we are never truly alone. There is someone out there for everyone. It just takes a little faith and trust to see it through.
