The Forever Kind of Love

You know those male characters you read about in sappy love stories and you’re like yeah right, men like that don’t exist. Well, somehow, I was lucky enough to nab one, and today Justin and I celebrate eleven years of marriage.

Our story is a twist on the classic friends to lovers’ theme. The beginning of our relationship was rockier than most because our love was real, but so was the baggage we carried. Our story is a book-worthy drama, with exciting twists and turns. It was exhausting fighting for what we knew was real when we had so many obstacles in the way, but the fight was worth all the madness because, in the end, we got our happily-ever-after.

Much like many book boyfriends, Justin came on way too strong, knowing exactly what he wanted and told me he was going to marry me before we began dating. It was intense, but it’s the way Justin loves—deeply and loyally without reservation. 

He’s seen me at my absolute worst. He’s held my hair while I was violently ill. He’s seen me when I was tired and hangry. He’s seen me at my most vulnerable when I didn’t know how to love myself. He’s seen me when I was mean and spiteful, when I was prideful and ugly. He was there with me, holding me, getting me food, tucking me into bed, talking to me, encouraging me. Loving me.

I try my best to do the same for him. He is my best friend and I am a better person for having him in my life. I don’t know why he loves me so much. I am terrible at telling him how I feel about him. I am far from romantic, and I suck at showing the kind of affection he deserves. You would think as an author, I would be better with words, but I write my feelings better than I speak them.

Even when our insecurities fight to divide us, we persevere, partly because we are too stubborn and loyal to give up on one another, but also because our love is real. It may not be perfect, but we’ve committed to loving one another even when it takes the extra effort, and because of this, we have something beautiful.  

We are not perfect, but I believe we are better together.