"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." This is what we are taught at a young age, right? That love is good, pure and something to be desired. But what happens when it's not? What happens when love is quick to anger? What do we do when love is keeping tabs of every little mistake, flaw and imperfection that we work so hard to cover with the façade that is a smile?

What. Do. We. Do. Then?

At this moment, my friend, we realize that what we are experiencing is not love at all. I would venture as far as to say that this is the opposite. This is jealousy, rage and the presence of a hardened heart. This is hatred.

I know, it's scary that it can be cleverly disguised as the very ingredient needed for every Disney movie we have ever watched. It's disheartening to know that your "Prince Charming" (or Princess Charming, whichever you prefer) is actually the dragon guarding your tower in a convincing disguise.

As I said before, this is not love. So I pray that you remain open to when love arrives.

See, when love arrives, everything will seem to make sense. The grass will be greener, the bubbling stream that you wade your feet into will seem more effervescent, and your laugh will ring true once again.

When love truly arrives, you may have to do a double take because it may not be the way you expected it would look.

Do me a favor. Close your eyes and picture what love looks like to you.

Is love tall? Does love have dark hair, tan skin and deep, starry eyes? Maybe love has blonde hair that cascades over sun-kissed shoulders, hazel eyes and an affinity for indie rock.

What if I told you that love may very well have glasses taped together in the middle, ride a bike to school instead of a flashy car, and love may be the four time regional Mathlete champion?

What then?

I guess what I am trying to say is that Love comes in all shapes and sizes; all ethnicities and religions; in all sexualities and genders. Love has no rules that s/he must play by. Love can sweep you off your feet and then dump you off a cliff in the same heartbeat.

Love has no bounds of time and space. It can find you today and leave you tomorrow.

So, stay open, friends. When love arrives, invite them inside, make some coffee and sit down and listen to them. Learn as much as you can about their life, what they have experienced and what they are offering to you. Cherish the moments you have with them because love is a gift that is not guaranteed to last, or guaranteed to even happen.

Don't let it pass you by.

We only have one life. I would hate to live it to its entirety and at the end realize that love had been standing right beside me the whole time, and I just never took the time to get to know them.

So, ask yourself this, my dear reader.

When love arrives, will you know them?