Love is a Fairytale

My first teenage relationship ended when I learned that an acquaintance was weeks away from having his baby. That was in my senior year in high school. It was devastating, but I got over it. A few months later, my father drove me to my high school prom because my date didn’t show up. My face displayed confidence and pride, but inside, I was crushed. If that wasn’t enough, while at college I discovered that the guy I was dating was sleeping with a friend who I knew before I was even in first grade. All of this before I turned 19. Luckily, I had a pretty high self-esteem.
Well, after kissing those frogs, I realized that finding “Prince Charming” wasn’t quite as easy as it seemed in the fairytale. So, I decided it was best if I waited until after college to get in another serious relationship…obviously it wasn’t working out for me. To say that I was leery when the next guy showed up is the understatement of the century. I reminded myself of the pact I had made (with myself) and tried to find all of the reasons why I shouldn’t even consider changing my mind. First of all, he was new on campus, so he was obviously too young for me. Then there was the odd circle of friends he hung out with—sort of Woodstocky. Plus, I needed to focus on my grades.
Fast forward to a couple of months later and “Mr. Woodstock” was my steady boyfriend. He was well-rounded, smart, stubborn, a little older than me, and just as complex. He had a tough exterior as a result of experiences that caused him to make his own pact (he wouldn’t let anyone get close enough to cause him to act based on emotions). Then came “we” and I learned that underneath the surface was a sensitive, passionate, vulnerable young man. I loved him completely.
Four and a half years later, I was walking down the aisle towards my husband-to-be, to pledge my love and commitment. The ceremony was drama-free. No one stood up to announce their disapproval of our union, he didn’t leave me standing at the altar, and there were no ugly stepsisters trying to fit into my glass slipper. That was sixteen years ago. Today, I can honestly say that after twenty years, I am still in love with my college sweetheart. Although our relationship has not been without trials, we grew up together and learned that love is about giving without expectation, compromising—even when you end up with the shorter end of the stick, respecting one another, acceptance, giving each other space to grow, connecting (mentally and physically), and supporting and protecting each other. Through the years, I’d have to say that the most important thing we’ve learned about love is that it is unconditional.
There was a time when the dating scene was just one nightmare after another for me. However, just when I began to think that love was a fairytale—something that only existed in a girls childhood dreams, I saw him. Then he saw me, and over time, we defined love. So, I guess when I thought love was a fairytale, I was right—for he is my happily ever after.