L.o.v.e.

(H) Tonight is another night of restlessness for me.  I am lying in bed right now, contemplating love.  What is looks like..what I feel like it should be.  I am thinking about being afraid of moving..because I hate goodbyes more than anyone on the planet. I am thinking about being sad.  Sad to leave heartfelt conversations on the car ride home.  Sad to leave the sweet puppy kisses I am showered with every time I walk through the door.  Mostly, sad to know that the four people resting inside of this house right now will not always be two doors down.  So I believe it is a good time to write down all the ways I look at love.  I can read this when I am hurting in a new place.  And I can use this as a ruler for my future relationships.

Love is. Comfortable. Walking out of bed Saturday morning with a shiny face and frizzy hair.  Morning breath. Running beside someone with sweat pouring down their face and still thinking they are beautiful. Quality time.  Errands, Mountain Dew & Snickers.  Someone always willing to wait while you get your oil changed. Breakfast.  The simple pleasure of looking across the at the same beautiful brown eyes while you eat Special K cereal and discuss the rest of the days plans.  Surprises.  Walking out to your car and seeing the words “I love you this much” written on a Ziploc bag.  The way an unforeseen icee and jumbo Cookies & Cream bar can make a long night at work fade away.  Knowing that someone thinks enough about you to take the time to do the little things..all the time. Additions. Opening your heart to new people brought into the family..and being excited each time you see a tan or bronze car in the driveway.  Admiration. It is respect.  It is knowing that you could not possibly be more proud of not only the brilliant mind..but the depth of compassion second only to Jesus.  Black & White photographs and Friday night movies. Best friend.  Knowing the same person who hears every unkind word you speak also thinks you have a compassionate heart.  No matter how wrong you may be, you ALWAYS have someone in your corner.  The same person can be both your biggest critic and your biggest fan because you know they love you one hundred percent.  Fights.  An entire day can go by consisting only of glares and slamming doors.  Somehow...sitting in your seat at the table..you realize it doesn’t matter.  Years from now, you will be sitting next to the exact same person..and nothing will be the same.  Save for the four faces looking back at you.  It is at this moment in time you realize.  This is what matters.  Choosing someone who gives all of these things. Because in the end..the faces you see first thing in the morning are the ones that count.  Everything else will change..because life is not static.  People die. move. graduate. get married.  But love.. the kind of love that only God can give. Is a gift. A handcrafted treasure involving countless moments of decision. Seemingly everyday choices and pathways all leading to these specific relationships.  It is hard, even painful at times.  It is a fight.  It is laughter.  It is the desire to freeze time.  It is inside jokes.  It is hurt feelings.  It is dirty dishes and pollen filled porches.  It is pre-party frustrations and totally clear refrigerator doors.  It is everything you could ever imagine..and all you will ever need.