What Lifelong Relationships Consist Of

It's Valentine's Day this weekend. It's reds and pinks, fluffy teddy bears, roses, hugs and kisses, and lots and lots of hearts every where. Romantic.

My man and I have been together for going on seven years now. Seven years of thick and thin. Turns out, love is not always reds and pinks and fluffy teddy bears and sexy cologne. In seven years of loving this man I have realized there's a trick to this lifetime commitment thing, and that is...

There are no tips and tricks.

Deep stuff right there.

But there are no twenty steps to guarantee a fulfilled relationship at the end of it. There is no giving 90/10, 80/20, or even 50/50.

Lifelong relationships consist of two very imperfect human beings waking up every morning 100,000,000% unconditionally committed to loving and forgiving and accepting the other. It is understanding that there will be flaws, disagreements, misunderstandings, and hurts unintentionally inflicted along the way.

Giving up is never an option.

At the end of the day, we live to know and love each other's heart. To accept, treasure and respect the person we are committed to.

It's not about what we can get out of our relationship, but what we can give.

Coming up on seven years later, together, pouring ourselves into each other, loving, forgiving, accepting, respecting one another unconditionally, our cup still runs over.

He's my Valentine. Today. And tomorrow, and next week, and next year, and when we're old and gray. I'll be by his side and he by mine. Always. Because that's what you do when you love someone.