learning about love

What does love mean to you?

I asked the President of my university this question in a private interview I was having with him for an upcoming theatre assignment (I could write pages about that interview, but we talked about some real serious stuff. It was intense. Tears were shed. He's an incredible president).

So here's what I think about love:

[Disclaimer: Author is twenty years old. She knows nothing] 

What I Thought

I watched my parents grow up very much in love. As mentioned in my anger post, it scares me when people argue, and if they argued, I immediately thought they were going to get a divorce. I couldn't understand why people who said they loved each other would yell at each other and leave the room angry. Continuing to hold onto this thought of "argument = divorce/breakup/end" as I started being in relationships, I kinda assumed this was the rule for all relationships. Happiness. Adventures. Changing things about yourself so that it makes the other person happy so they won't be in conflict with you. That's what it's supposed to be, right?

Wrong. Again.

Dear Tzipi, get your ass off of social media gawking over couples that are "instagram famous" just for being in love and having perfect lives. Please, Tzipi, I beg of you. Stop comparing yourself to people who only post the good stuff on social media and create this fantasy you're supposed to believe. You are not those social media starlets, because why the fuck would I want to be one in the first place? 

What I've Learned (...Still Learning)

"Real love"- like the kind of stuff you don't necessarily see in the movies and rarely see because people aren't around to take photos and videos of it - is amazing. Being content in the company of one specific person (or many persons, whatever floats your boat) without any of the glitz and glam is really special. I'm slowly learning to let go of those "movie moment" expectations and just accept reality, which, in fact, is amazing all on it's own.  I'd like to thank my boyfriend (who I'm going to try my very hardest to not talk about all that much) for teaching me what real love feels like. 

I've had a twin bed for the majority of my life, and I remember complaining when I was young about how I wanted a bigger bed because I was becoming a big girl. No luck. Okay, so imagine sleeping in a twin bed for the majority of your life, and then sticking another person in said bed who is even bigger than you are. It was a real adjustment. But we suffered through it anyway so we could be close to each other (I'm a snuggler). 

I learned how to start saving money. I used to look for fancy restaurants to eat at because they got good reviews, however, the random sandwich shop on this side street that he'll suggest is also pretty good too, and probably cost at least $15 less than the fancy shmancy place. We grew up in different lifestyles, and when we're together I usually feel like an idiot because he's much more logical with everything than I am. 

I'm learning how to be a freakin' adult. 

It's weird, but I'm in love and I'm happy.

Don't change yourself for someone else.

Find someone who accepts you for you.

Be open-minded and caring.

 Don't be a dingus.