love stories

"Some love stories are short stories, but they are love stories all the same."


I heard this quote today while I was watching TV (and procrastinating from the mountains of school work that I have due very shortly), and it really hit home for me. I know I've talked a lot about relationships and love, and I'm not into overly cheesy, romantic gestures or impossible expectations. This quote, more than any other quote I can remember, reminds me that there's a reason to have hope. 


All my past relationships, long and short, good and bad, are worth something. They've taught me life lessons, they've taught me how to grow up, and they've taught me about myself. No, I didn't always make the best decisions, and no, I was definitely never perfect. But I don't regret anything that I've done. Because ultimately, I want to be a successful, happily married, crazy in love mom - yes, I do think I can have it all. It certainly won't be easy, but that doesn't mean it's not worth fighting for.


Back to the quote. In the TV show (and yes, I'm going to just call myself out and say it was "Greek" - my newest obsession thanks to instant Netflix!), it's said in a sad context - two people are splitting up, prompting another couple to accept its defeat. But the most important element in the quote is love. You may have a relationship that lasts 4 or 5 months, but teaches you infinitely more about love and yourself than a relationship that you coast in for 4 or 5 years. It just depends on the people, the relationship, and the circumstances. Do I believe in a "one true love"? No, I don't think that's how it works - that's too fairy tale, which I've already said I don't believe in. I think you have soul mates. Yes, plural. I think that ultimately there are people that are meant to be in your life, for better or for worse, and that the person your end up marrying is supposed to be the one. Maybe not necessarily "the one" for ever and ever, but the one in that moment.


Yes, I still want to believe in happily ever after and being with someone "til death do us part." It just sounds too good to be true sometimes, doesn't it? So while all the single girls (and guys) are still out on the search, dreaming of "the one," just know - everything happens for a reason. And when you find someone you don't want to live without, hold on. And hold on tight. Because these days, you never know how things are going to end up.