relationships (the good and the bad)...
Hey everyone, yes, I know it's been a long time since I updated, but my friends have been asking me like all get out to update, so here goes. My second semester of college went really well. I'm just chillin at home waiting to leave for the summer. Seven weeks of Christ In Youth conferences with the RBC CIY recruitment team should be fun. I can't forget that one week of camp we'll be doing as well. This semester was mainly wonderful because I got to know this awesome girl named Rachel who, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is now my girlfriend. Here's the crazy part: She has been with me longer than three weeks, is commited because she CHOSE to be with me, is not keeping her eyes open for 'someone else' while in the relationship, accepts me for who I am and overlooks my stupidity (as Ben Franklin said "When entering a relationship, keep one eye open and one eye closed), and will actually make an effort to make the relationship work when the not so loving times come. Those times haven't come yet, but they will because we're both human. She has actually decided that she likes me before accepting the invitation to be my girlfriend, not using me because she needs someone to notice her because she just recently broke up with someone. Here's my two cents: Two people may not be ready for a relationship at the same time. One might be ready but might have to let the other one get to know them better before he/she is ready for the relationship also. When both the guy and the girl are going at the same pace, life is good. If one is going at a slower pace, the other should slow down and 'walk' alongside the other person. Otherwise, the relationship starts before one person is ready and that's never good because then the person who was ready for the relationship gets hurt when the person who wasn't ready, but thought he/she was ready, realizes that they weren't ready, breaks the news to the other person, and as a result, a heart is broken. The other person usually has no guilt or remorse so that makes things even worse for the person with the broken heart. So, I said all that to say: getting to know the person before starting a dating relationship is definitely a good idea. Yeesh...that was a little frustration inside of me that I had to get out. You might be thinking 'Daniel, aren't you taking this a little too seriously. I mean, we're not talking about marriage." True, but we're talking about preparing for marriage. I don't believe in "recreational dating" or dating just for the sake of being with someone you think you 'love' or just as something to do, like a hobby. Normal friendships are great for the companionship and just having fun being with others kinda thing. If I'm dating (or anyone for that matter), marriage should be the main consideration. I would never date anyone I didn't think I could marry. I was hoping the first girl I dated would be the girl I marry because I got to know her and her character before I ask the big question that starts that whole dating thing. But, things happen and that goal fell through. I'm doing it right the second time around. College dating relationships should involve more commitment than high school relationships, but many times they don't. Call me crazy, but that's how I feel. From personal experience, I believe I've hit the nail on the head with this whole theory on relationships. I hardly ever share what I'm feeling inside on this thing. Well, kinda...Some of my past entries have been pretty open, so anyway, enjoy my honesty while you still can. When you find love as it's meant to be, it's so great. Thanks for reading my rambles. This issue was on my heart and I felt like sharing all this so hopefully others will benefit. Other than that, nothing else is going on. I'm just living my life and having fun every chance I get. I'm also trying to find out what God wants me to do with my life. I need to get back to school, since my future plans seem clearer the more I'm there. So, until next time...that's all folks!