when you love someone

"Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused." Alan Cohen

How beautiful it is to give love and feel love. But love only exists when it is unconditional, without judgement, and given freely. When you love someone, you do not wish change on their imperfections. You don't tell them, "I wish you were going into nursing" when they want to start a band. You try your best to trust that they will make the best decision for themselves because you know their heart. When you love someone, you answer their calls late at night, and even if you're too tired to talk back, you listen for as long as they need. When you love someone, you are never too busy for them. You forget to answer text messages because you're at work, but you call them to say you've been thinking about them. You ask them to go grocery shopping with you, because you are a little busy, but it's nice to have them by your side in the produce section. When you love someone, you forget their middle name, their favorite color, and what they want for their birthday. But you know their dreams, aspirations, what hurts them, what they'd like to accomplish. You know the darkness of their soul because you remember every time they cried to you. When you love someone, you call them out on their crap, and you don't let them get away with things. You tell them when they're being dramatic, because you want them to tell you when you are. Sometimes you're harsh, but they need you to be. When you love someone, you let them have their alone time. You understand that they need time to recharge and be away from you. When you love someone, you can sit in quiet and enjoy each other's company. You study the details of their face that you have always loved, and silently compare arm freckles. It's a beautiful thing when you have the same arm freckles as your brother, because it must mean you have a special kind of love.

When you love someone, you allow them to do things that make them happy. Even if they want to move far away from you, you tell them you'll write them every day. You will miss them terribly, so you send them light and love with every breath, and you let them go.