Falling in love is risky. It requires revealing parts of yourself that are usually hidden away and there is never a guarantee that things will work out for you. It is terrifying honestly; opening your heart and leaping head first into an uncharted relationship. I can proudly say I fell in love in Europe, with the most charismatic and compelling man. He is affectionate yet cold; an extrovert and a mystery at the same time. I was not looking for a love abroad but now it feels that it was inevitable.
Here is a guide on how to fall in love in Europe, just as I have:
Be Available. Too many times people miss out on new relationships because they are too wrapped up in the last. As the cliche quote goes, 'you can never start writing a new chapter if you keep rereading the last'. Let yourself be open again to new things, never say no (unless it's to strangers) and always say yes (especially to cheap pizza). You never know where that 'yes' will bring you; to a new view, a new street, a new pub, or even a new love. Always be ready to start writing a new chapter.
Try to Understand. You're not going to understand everyone, but the effort counts. Everything is how it is for one reason or another. Get to the bottom of those reasons. Do your research; Wikipedia may not be credible for writing papers but it is helpful when preparing for small talk with the British (even if it's almost always about the weather). Opening your brain to new ideas and views is a value far beyond relationships.
Be Accepting. No one is perfect, most people are far from it. But accepting someone for who they are is part of loving them. Accept the flaws and weak spots, do not try to fix them but instead work with them and learn to value them. Nothing is absolutely perfect, but everything is perfectly absolute.
Notice The Details. Observe everything; from the glisten in the eyes to the way they walk. If you miss the specifics, you miss the fullness too. Especially in Europe, everything is so foreign, the slightest details are usually the most intriguing. Get out of the habit of looking down, when you begin walking with your head up, you start to notice all the little things that add up to be huge.
Soak In The Now. Now will never happen again, so make sure to enjoy it. Even in the pouring rain, dragging three pieces of luggage on bumpy cobblestones, all on an empty stomach (because you didn't know tapas are so small), do not forget to glance up at your love and remember why life is so great. At every viewpoint, of course, take gorgeous pictures to send to Mom and post on Instagram. But also remember to look around at the real views through your actual eyes, not just a screen. The deep breath you savor when the moment is paradisaical is more valuable than any panorama photo.
Be Yourself. Even though you are giving pieces of yourself elsewhere, it doesn't mean you should lose sight of who you are. Keep tabs on your morals and beliefs, if they love you, they won't ever ask you to change them. Never wander too far from your personal policies and if it does not feel right, it probably isn't.
Money is Replaceable. (To a degree). Of course, it is irresponsible to spend money like a millionaire when you are just a college student trying to explore the world. However, it would be a disservice to yourself to hold back on adventures because you want to save it for another time. I look back on the times I bought an overpriced ticket to have a romantic ride on the London Eye, overlooking the bright lights of the city while popping champagne, and it will always be worth it. Having to pick up two extra work days when I get back is worth trying the authentic foods, entering museums and buying souvenirs, all with the one I love by my side.
Apply Him To The Rest Of Your Life. Whether it works out for you or not, learn from him. Do not let the stories, laughs and memories go to waste. Even months after he is gone, look back and use what he taught you to better your own world. For the good lessons or the bad lessons, let him be a reminder to your future. A reminder of who you want to be, how you want to affect people and where you want to take your life.
If you haven't noticed yet, this earnest and articulate man I fell in love with isn't a man at all.
He is Europe in its entirety. He is the intricate mosaic tiles lining the pastel colored homes in Lisbon, Portugal. He is the passionate opera singers flooding the streets of Florence. He is the feeling of power and ambition whilst standing on top of the world at King Arthur's Seat in Scotland. He is the hypnotizing gold and silver glistening lights in the Eiffel Tower. He holds hundreds of centuries of success and failure, peace and war, miracles and corruption, all within one continent. I fell in love with every part of Europe I never dreamed I would encounter. From the most minuscule features, to the biggest destinations; every piece of Europe found a way of taking my breath away.
As I said before, I can proudly say I fell in love in Europe, in the most charismatic and compelling way. My lover is an extrovert and a mystery at the same time. I was not looking for a love abroad but now it feels that it was inevitable.I
