What I've Learn From My Parents About Love

With my parent's 27th anniversary just around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to publish this post. It has been on my list of possible blogging topics for about a month now!

What does the word "love" mean to you?

 Is it something that scares you? Or is it a word that puts a smile on your face? 

Who is the first person that pops into your head when you hear the word?

 A best friend?

 A sibling?

 A family member?

 A significant other? 

Greenwich, Connecticut

 Spring 2016 

When I think of the word love, I think of my amazing parents. They are two of the most supportive people in the world. They push me to pursue my dreams, and raised me to believe I can achieve anything in the world.

On a romantic note, I can't remember the first time I realized how in love my parents are with each other. Their love was always just something I just found as normal part of life. When I was younger I found their PDA one of the most embarrassing things in the world! Until about the age of 14, every time they would kiss in front of me I would cover me eyes and go, "Gross, PG-13." (Mature, right?) However, as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the love they share together. I no longer see their PDA as embarrassing, but rather look for characteristics I hope to share with my future partner; my person.

My parents met their freshman year of college. It is crazy because they were both younger than I am now when they first met. I think it is incredible how they've gotten to grow alongside each other for the past 27 years. Watching them for the past 19 of the 27 years of marriage, I've learned so many valuable lessons about love.

1. Don't settle for anything less than what you deserve

Growing up with such loving parents, I set unrealistically high expectations of what I want in a life partner. I want marry my best friend, my rock, my protector; someone who sees hardships as an opportunity to grow together. I want someone who can see my dreams and passions, and can dream right alongside me with the same excitement for life. Life is the ultimate adventure.

"If you can dream it, you can achieve it." -Walt Disney 

2. Compromise and work together 

Relationships are work. Love starts as a feeling, and grows into a choice you have to make every day. Some days are harder than others, but at the end of the day, you still choose each other. No argument is too big, no distance is too far, and no challenge is unsolvable.

3.  Never go to bed angry 

This is one of the lessons I have taken to heart the most. If I go to bed upset, I will more than likely wake up upset. I hate uncertainty, and if I have too much time to think on things, I'll overthink things negatively. Being able to talk through things calmly, and compromise with your partner is an important skill. It saves a lot of painful time of thinking and wondering.

4. Find your love language 

I think I was in middle school the first time my mom every mentioned the "love languages." Knowing how you interpret acts of love is such a powerful tool to use in any relationship. The five languages are acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, and receiving gifts.

My love language has been the same since about sophomore year of high school: words of affirmation and quality time together. So much has changed in my life since I was 16, but this part of me has remained constant.

Wishing Momma and Papa Sully a very happy anniversary next week <3