I’m Thankful
Originally published at The Prodigal Blogger. You can comment here or there.
I’m gonna make a point to try and make an entry in this every day that I can. I’ve got this place, and I should make the most of its existence.
This evening is the first time all weekend I’ve truly been able to reflect on what I’m thankful for. I’ve been around people and things that have kept me occupied pretty much non-stop. I’m not complaining or anything, though.
The past few months have been very eventful for me, and that hasn’t always been a good thing. I’ve had to deal with a lot of new struggles, burdens, and fears lately. Part of me wonders feels like I should’ve cracked or given up by now. When I think about it, though, the reasons I haven’t done these things becomes a little more clear.
This August, I met a beautiful young woman named Rhea. It was at a birthday party of a friend of a friend. I never really go to parties these days. As it turns out, neither did she. After I left, I asked the friend I came with who that girl was. As it turned out, she asked someone the same about me. As the summer winded down, we began to get to know each other better. Perhaps it should’ve been obvious sooner, but it turned out we both had feelings for each other, perhaps since day one. Knowing this wasn’t enough at first to begin a relationship…we had both been hurt badly by past relationships, and we both had legitimate fears and issues with being in one again. For whatever reason (perhaps even by a divine hand), we pressed on and began dating in spite of our fears. On September 19, we became boyfriend and girlfriend. It seems like so long ago now. Ages ago, in fact. In reality, this time that has felt like a lifetime has only been a few months. In the past few months, I’ve grown and matured so much. I’ve learned and discovered so much. I’ve fallen so, so in love.
For her birthday, I gave her something I didn’t think I’d ever give anyone: a promise ring. We hadn’t even been together long, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I stand by that choice and that promise, and that promise is something I intend to keep.
I had to say goodbye to her today. Not forever, thankfully…but the next time I’ll see her seems so far away. I miss her…more than ever. I’ll probably use this blog to rant until I’m sore, but this is something I’ll never, ever become sore about or tired of. Rhea, if you’re reading this, I love you so much. I can’t wait to see you again, whenever that time comes.