I don't want jewelry. I don't want candies, two dozen roses or extravagant gestures that profess your love for me. I don't want a man that pretends to be who I want/deserve, 1 day a year while being a reluctant participant in our lives the other 364 with the occasional glimpse of hope thrown in there. I don't want balloons or fancy dinners. I want real. What is real you ask? Real is a man, who knowingly took on a girl (me) with such a complicated, messy, broken past, because he saw beyond it all and loved her (me) for who I used to be, who I can one day become again. Real is being accepted just as I am, imperfections and all. Real is him, not wanting me to change the things that make me, me. Even the annoying traits, the things that drive him crazy. Real is knowing that not only did that man take on the broken girl, but he took on 3 opinionated, sometimes sassy, too smart for their own good, loud, rambunctious, yet incredible kids. Real is having him WANT to be a part of the everyday monotony. Helping me juggle, helping with homework, guitar lessons, teach respect, carpool. Real is the man who gets excited at the idea of "family" Valentine's Day. No romantic just the two of us stuff. But making heart pizzas, pink cupcakes, playing games & maybe if I'm lucky forcing him to watch one of my favorite chick flicks he's never seen after the youngen's get to bed...(Hope Floats anyone?) Real is being the first thought that crosses his mind in the morning as he sends his "Good Morning Beautiful" text & the last thought each night as he tells me to drive safely to work. Real is having this man in our lives who didn't have to be. Real is having him not try to replace anyone, but just bring a new goodness, excitement into our lives. Real is sharing our dreams and hopes, frustrations and problems with him. Real is working through issues without fighting, without raising our voices (mostly). Real is having your oldest kids tell you they like how we fight because it is always done with laughter, sarcasm, and most of all, respect. Real is happiness. Real is sincerity. Real is adoring this human being and dreaming of the day we can be together as a "family" under one roof and working at attaining some of those dreams we have created together. Real is not caring about Valentine's Day, but focusing on the day after, the week after, the month after....Real is visualizing a future built on trust, honesty, humor, admiration, loyalty...valuing and vowing to not lose sight of these things.
Real is love 365.
