things between us are simple

A friend of mine just got back from college and was looking forward to a fun summer with old friends and the exciting possibility of an internship just over the horizon. It's stressful waiting to hear about a job, I know that, but now compound this stress with that of a high maintenance relationship that is going nowhere. She's slowly sucking the life out of him as she does crazy things to attract his attention and that of others. It's terribly sad, watching him waste away before our eyes as this awful relationship drains him. He cares for her, regardless, and wants to be sure that she's okay and that's what keeps him from ending it. That's sweet, I think, because he has the courtesy to ensure she will be fine. The problem is, she doesn't want to be fine.

Watching him struggle with his relationship, however, makes me more aware of how awesome mine really is. I'm not trying to gloat and I'm not saying we don't have our problems - because we do - but we love each other deeply in a way I can't describe. And so I'm thanksful for what I have. Things in my life might not be going quite as I expected, but I can always count on having a great guy to come home to. One who will make me tea and rub my head when I have a headache. One who is willing to move into my parents basement to save money for a house. One who lets me try out ten different colors of nail polish on his toes until I find just the right one. I love him, and I shouldn't take it for granted. There's hardly any bickering, no whining that he's hanging out with his friends instead of me, and no breakup threats. Things between us are simple; we love each other. 

(picture from here...)