The Vow- To live a life alive with love..

Paige: “I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not...and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home.”

Leo: “I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love.”

You know, as frustrating as these movies are to me & as much as I joke on them... those are some pretty awesome vows. What more could you want from someone who will be your partner, your sidekick, your "other half" for the rest of your life? As I mentioned in my previous blog nearly a year ago (that I haven't read since..until 5 minutes ago), I don't want the "movie man," the "every female alive gushes over him" man. Because here's the thing...my definition of love isn't dramatic; it isn't perfect; and it isn't dependent upon a tragedy of sorts to prove itself. While I'm still not necessarily a huge fan of this movie, I think there's something to be said for it. Amidst all else, the couple displayed a shared love for life and a patience and commitment that could only exist as a result of the purest love.

We only have one life to live. I don't want to share it with anyone who values that less than I do. Everyone appreciates life in one way or another. The key is finding the person who appreciates it in the same way you do. As childish as it may be, I want someone who's not afraid to explore and be imperfect. Laugh. Walk through an abandoned house and run like crazy when lights come on. Whatever your definition, there's no better time spent than with someone who makes you come alive.
Not just alive when adrenaline and laughs are on high, but alive when the world is caving in. Alive when you don't feel anything else. Alive with the security that comes from a heart to call home. What better feeling than to live a life alive with love.

So. I'll lay off the usual romcom jokes for the night to say this...
Love someone who "helps you love life," "holds you with tenderness," and has the "patience that love demands." Someone who "speaks when words are needed" and "shares the silence when they're not." Someone who defines home as wherever you are. Someone who "fiercely loves you" for all you are and will ever become. And above all else...live a life alive with this "once in a lifetime love."

THIS...is why I love you.

You know, the thing about love…it comes with so many expectations and such high demands, that we leave ourselves almost no other option but to be let down at some point.

One day, I don’t want to look over at my husband and say, “Man…we’ve had such a perfect, smooth ride. You’ve never aggravated, saddened, or frustrated me. You’ve never neglected to match your outfit just perfectly before we go out. You’ve never failed to be more romantic than every single lead, male romantic comedy character. You’ve always been available every second I wished. You’ve always said just the right thing at just the right time. You’ve always surprised me with twelve dozen roses every time I’ve had a bad day. You’ve always agreed with everything I’ve ever wanted to do. And this is why I love you.”

I want to look over and say, “Man…we’ve had the best ride. You’ve aggravated, saddened, and frustrated me...and we’re still here. Twenty-five years and you’ve finally learned to match your pants and socks. You’re the goofiest, craziest man I know. For every second you weren’t available, it wasn’t hard to remember all the times you were. You didn’t always know what to say…but were always the first to listen. When I’ve had a bad day, you remind me who I am and encourage me through faith in God’s provisions. We haven’t always agreed on exactly what to do, but we’ve always moved forward and taken on the world together. And THIS…is why I love you.”