love

I went to my cousin's wedding in the Outer Banks this past weekend. It was the first wedding in my family and we were all so excited. I had so much fun dancing and hanging out with my family. More importantly,  I learned a lot about love and what that really means when you are promising it to one person for the rest of your life.

Love is not selfish in any way. It requires a relationship that is dependent on selfless and unconditional love from both sides.

Love grows. A friend of my cousin gave a toast and he said that every night before he goes to bed he rates that day from 1 to 10; he said he's had ones but he's had tens and my cousin has been present for both. He went on to say that today, on their wedding day, he hopes that this day rates low compared to the rest of their days together. He hopes that today is the day they loved each other the least. And with each day, they love each other more.

Love doesn't know jealousy or hatred. Instead, love focuses on seeing the best in the other person, loving each other despite faults and trusting that your love can work through anything.

Love is hopeful. It's hoping that the love you share with that one person can transcend anything; that no matter what, that person will be standing by your side through anything. No one knows what will happen in the future but that's why we hope for the best and trust that everything will turn out right.

Love is strong. My cousin is shipping out for his third tour in Iraq in July; three months after they get married. They got married anyway, despite what other people said.

Every one of us on this earth is searching for love and what that little four letter word truly means. The ability to love someone is the greatest thing about everyone; it brings out the best in each one of us and exposes us to the raw, deep, intimate parts of our being. It can seem so complicated, yet so simple. If you can find someone who loves you just like you love them, then you have something so special. You have been a part of a little miracle. That is something so rare; hold on to it.