To the girl who asks, “How do I know if what we have is real?”

Darling, this is how you know.

You know it’s real by the way you feel with him. No, I am not talking about the butterflies you feel when he takes you out on your first date. Or the smile you get when he buys you your first bouquet of flowers. I am talking about the first time you see him cry. The first time you get into a fight, like a really big fight. That type of fight where you go home and cry into your pillow, hard, with the fear building up in your chest faster than the fastest thing. I am not talking about the feelings you have for him on the good days. I am talking about the unconditional love you feel for him on the bad ones. If you feel this way then that, is how you know it’s real.

You know it’s real when you are happy without him. Boys are not responsible for the rotation of the Earth, or your reason for living. They are not everything. You will know it is real when you realize that without him your laugh is just as loud, your smile is just as bright, and your world keeps on turning. You will know it is real when you realize you can be happy without him, you just never want to be. Ever.

You know it’s real by the way he treats you. He should take your feelings into account no matter the situation. He should tickle you just to hear you giggle even if you tell him to stop. He should lay with you while you cry and not pry you for information until you give it up willingly. He should talk to you all night long about the color of the house you will one day own and all the dreams you’ve ever had. He should treat you as if you are his pride and joy. However, sometimes these things will not happen. Life is not a fairytale so stop expecting it to be. It is okay to have your expectations, and set them high my darling. Because when it is real, he will try for you. He will try as best as he can, but he will not be able to give you the world. That is okay, as long as he gives you his world. This is how you know it’s real.

You know it’s real when there is no competition. You will never have to compete for his attention, from anyone. You will never have to change who you are to keep his interest. You will never have to worry about any other girl, because he will make you feel like the only one that matters. You know it is real when there is no competition, because he will make you feel as if you have already won.

You know it is real by the way he respects you. This… This is everything. Never be with someone who doesn’t respect your values. Never be with someone who makes you question your morals. You know it is real when he loves you for you and all you stand for. Respect… Respect is everything.

You know it is real when the love feels like nothing you've ever felt before.

Sometimes, you simply just, know.

Xoxo,

A girl who knows.