That's love...

I heard this song on the radio today. It was a rap song, I think (you know I'm a gangsta...), and it mentioned something about this man's girl having her own ring tone and how that was true love. It made me chuckle while I was dancing and driving (this is legal and not to be confused with drinking and driving. thanks) through the Lowe's parking lot. It also made me think about love, real love. (Maybe it made me think about love because Patrick has his own ring tone on my phone.)

I'm so grateful to know what real, true love is. I see it, feel it, hear it everyday. Being in love is terribly hard and an overwhelming amount of work. Being in love is freeing and joyful and rewarding. Being in love gets better with time, with tears and with trials.

The little things that Patrick does make me feel loved. I love when he leaves notes on my car, when he invites me on a date, when he takes out the trash, when he lets me talk and talk and talk because I've been alone all day or I'm struggling with something. I love that he wants the best for me, that he opens the car door for me, that he opens any door for me! I love that he leads me and treats me like a princess. I love that he knows what drinks I like at the coffee shop and brings them to me sometimes. I love that he makes me hot tea or cooks dinner when I've had a terrible day. I love his smile and the way his eyes light up. I love how soft his lips are and how comforting his arms are. These are the things love is made of.

We have bad days. We have bad weeks and months. Shoot, we've even had a bad year before (I know, we've only been married three). There are days when I get so annoyed and frustrated with Patrick. There are times when I just cry out of anger. There are times when we are bickering and fighting about something, always. Then there are times when we've talked and cried and fought it out and then prayed and sought the Lord together and were restored. Love, love, love.

Not only do I get to experience real, true love with Patrick, I get it in abundant, unconditional doses from the Lord. He constantly knows what I need and how I love to be loved. He makes the sunrise and set at just the right time, sometimes, when I can see it all and I just stand amazed. I love that God makes the waves crash on the shore so perfectly, so musically. I love that the stars all have names and places and they create a magical show each night. I love that trees grow tall with gorgeous leaves. I love that snow falls silently, lightly. I love that rain comes often, with random refrains of thunder in the distance. I love that babies laugh. I love that children giggle and squeal and cry. I love that God made Patrick's voice so sweet.

I love that I know what it feels like to be loved from every angle. Now that, my friends (and rapper man), is true, real love.