love always hopes

Every time lately that I log on social media, there seems to be another post for one of the following three things.. An engagement, a pregnancy announcement, or a wedding. I guess I'm getting to that age when it's just common for those things to happen. It's such an exciting time, and it gets me all excited seeing friends find the person that they'll marry and start planning their lives together. It gets me excited, thinking of the day that I'll come across that person that God created for me.

We have a group chat with my friends from back home, and the other day we were talking about guys after one of them had an encounter with one. What is affection, and do couples even couple anymore? Pretty logical questions given our society's values and the trends going on. It makes me so sad for the younger generations that they grow up seeing relationships how they are these days. We've begun to settle. To settle for people that don't respect us or treat us right. But we think that we're stuck and we don't deserve better. That this is all we really deserve, because we're nothing special. 

Wrong. 

You deserve more. 

You deserve someone who appreciates you. Respects you. Makes you smile. Trusts you. Loves you, and only you. Who makes you laughs, inspires you, encourages you, works hard and is motivated. The person that when something happens, good or bad, is the first person you want to tell.

This morning we were getting in the car for church and I opened the car door for my  niece. We got in, and I told them.. Lesson of the day. Make sure the guy always opens the doors for you. I don't care if it's a car door, a door to a restaurant, or the door to your backdoor. 

You deserve to be respected. Gentlemen always did it back in the olden days, and there's no reason that they shouldn't do it every now and then now. They might only be 6, 7 and 12, but they can't ever be too young to know that they're loved and deserve the best. 

There's one relationship that I've had the opportunity to see grow throughout the past few years, one that is so full of joy, love and respect. One that has been such a powerful example to me, and since it's national sibling day, I'll go ahead and share that since it just so happens to be my brother. 

Brothers. The people who make us girls tough, but teach us how to love. That run around outside, argue with you, teach you all the tomboy ways of life. From playing outside in the barns, to study dates, then coffee and breakfasts, so much has changed over the years, but still things never change.

They're pranksters, they make you laugh, they drive you crazy, but at the end of the day, I know I sure as heck wouldn't be who I am today without mine. He's the hardest working person I know. There isn't a day that I talk to him that he isn't either studying or working, yet he always take the time to be a loving, thoughtful, caring, encouraging, boyfriend, son, and brother. 

Thank you. Thank you for being an example to me. For working hard and dreaming big. You inspire me to go after my dreams, even if they're ever-changing, even if I don't know what some of those might be. Seeing you grow into the young man that you are and being lucky enough to be there beside you through it all has been my favorite times. For encouraging me, always making me laugh, and having such a thoughtful heart. 

For being a boyfriend that is respectful, encouraging, faithful, sweet, the list goes on. You've had your ups and downs, but you've stuck together through it all. A relationship like yours is what most girls dream of having, and I'm so thankful to be able to see that there are still people out there that put God first, that are genuine and loving.

You laugh together, you're so sarcastic, but still you get through the tough times together. You're my favorite couple, and since the time you first started dating in high school and Christen messaged me, I knew there was something special there, and it's been amazing to see grow the past few years. Whether you're doing nothing together or out hiking and being adventurous, you're just so happy to be together. Just seeing you holding hands, or more often than not, being sarcastic and pestering each other, anyone can see how much you care about each other. I'm thankful for your example, for your encouragement, and for the hope that you give everyone. There are still a such thing as relationships that survive and prosper and grow, and your relationship is just that.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God's timing is always perfect timing. As is the people He places in your life. We might pray He'd hurry it up sometimes, but patience is key, because it'll happen when it's supposed to. If you're still searching for that person in your life, he or she is out there. Have faith, pray for him or her, and know that God has created someone just for you. Don't settle for less than you deserve because you're lonely and tired of waiting. It's the waiting that isn't fun, but in the end, is completely worth it.

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