” LOVE is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–8a)

Here is a story of a man.

He met this woman at a transitional time of his life. He wasn’t looking for her, or one like her. He wasn’t looking to be in any kind of relationship – not at this time, not at this point in his life.

He could have chosen to keep his distance. He could have chosen to not trust his heart. He could have chosen to protect himself from the possibility of pain, frustration, and disappointments with the situation. He could have chosen to focus his time on the more important things in his life. He could have chosen someone who could and is available to fill a physical need. He could have chosen a simpler way of loving and falling in love.

But here she is – right now. Someone who accepts everything that he is and has been. Someone who understands his dreams, his past, his desires, his longing, his thoughts, his ideals, his life’s principles. Someone who instinctively knows and feels the very workings of his heart and soul. Someone who has an emptiness in her soul that only he can fill. Someone who knows that he hurts even when he can’t cry. Someone who knows when he is afraid, even when he tries to be fearless. Someone who knows that when he tries to make himself busy, he is just trying to fight loneliness and uncertainty in the only way he knows. Someone who fully trusts him with her heart. Someone who has taught him to love without holding back. Someone who is not afraid to be hurt by the twists of fate one day. Someone who lives life in the present. Someone who does not expect anything from him but  a’moment’ together. Someone who has shown him the depth of the freedom of her love for him. Someone who makes him feel that he will never be alone. Someone who ends their day each night by praying together and being grateful for the day that was given to them. Someone who makes him feel loved, wanted and desired every single day of his life. Someone who shows in every little act of kindness, generosity and love that the verse from Corinthians is not an ideal, but a reality for him and what they shared together. Someone who makes him believe and hold on to the promise of tomorrow.

This is the story of a man who found love, trusted love, and given love that was so deserved. He loved with total freedom and trust. He loved, not knowing why or how or how much. All he knows is that she is right here and he will not let go of the chance to love her with all he could give.

He could have chosen differently. But he had chosen to LOVE.
And really LIVE.