Love is not a fantasy.

Lately I have been encountering people that say they don't believe in true love. I believe that their idea of love is just twisted beyond the realm of reality with too many expectations being places on one concept. To me love isn't as simple as the fantasies that we had growing up. No happily ever afters. No princes and damsels in distress. Nor are they the fantasies that we have now as adults. Love does not conquer all. There will always be hard times and arguments. Many moments that will make you question your feelings and test the strength of your relationship. Passion will definitely fade but the tenderness and affection will hopefully last.
That is exactly what romantic love is. Forming a close bond with someone and working to maintain it.
It isn't the "I will die without you." love that we see in Hollywood or read about in stories, but is more like knowing that life is just so much better with them by your side since they make you so happy.
Love is giving someone the ability to hurt you and trusting that they will never purposely cause you pain.
Love is being able to argue and fight knowing that you will make-up in the end.
Love is being able to forgive when the other causes you sorrow unintentionally.
Love is seeing each other's flaws and accepting them knowing that no one is perfect.
Love is being able to share all your sadness and all your happiness, your dreams along with your fears.
Love is wanting to bring joy to the person you adore and showing that you care about them.
And lastly, love is being able to stay committed to making the relationship work, no matter how difficult it may be or how many distractions lie in your path.
That is why when people ask me if I believe in love I always say yes. I refuse to believe that it doesn't exist. I know that it isn't easy and it won't always be what I expect but with the right person I think it is worth all the effort that is needed for a relationship.

Surprises

Wow. I miss him so much. This weekend I barely got to see my boyfriend but what little time I did spend with him was awesome. I walked around with him at work on Saturday and he stayed over afterwards at my place for the night which was very fun. =) The next day he had to go see his parents after work to have dinner with them and also hunt down one of his friends to have a talk. Afterwards though he did the sweetest thing ever. He had to go hunting for balloons and a present for his younger brother's birthday and I stayed on the phone with him the whole time he was out. I had no clue though that he was planning on surprising me. He kept asking me questions like "What are you doing right now?" and "Will you be going to sleep soon?". I had a suspicion he was buying me something though after he asked me if I liked peppermint since one of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to make hot coco and use a candy cane to stir the drink. I assumed that he would give them to me the next day when we saw each other since it was pretty late at night by this point and I though he would go home to get some sleep. Instead he drove all the way to my apartment without me realizing it and surprising me with the best present of all: himself. It was a great night. He handed me the candy canes and we snuggled in bed to sleep since we were both so tired by then. This morning when he took me out for lunch before he went back home I really did not want him to leave. I can't wait until next weekend when I can see him again since he always makes me so happy. ^_^