What True Love Taught Me

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I was one of those girls who wanted to find true love but did not know what it looked like. 
Finally, when I least expected it and wasn't actively searching - God sent me a wonderful man who has made me happy every day for the past three years. 
Before my own Happily Never Ending, through media and romance novels, I had a very distorted view on what true love was like.
The guys in the movies, hottest television shows and books are always the typical cliche of wash-board abs with animalistic sex appeal. In reality, these Alpa-Men would drive us crazy and we would think they are sexist and over-the-top - but in books and movies, anyone can be compromising!
Especially when the leading man is any of these:

- Smoldering Hot
- An Honorable Gentleman with Dishonorable Intentions 
 -Hearts, Flowers and Chocolate
- Great in the sack 
- Spoils the leading lady ridiculously even though she protests there is no need...
- He never, ever farts...

The downside of this Alpa-Male is: 
- He over-steps the line
- He's attentive to the point of suffocation
- Heaven help us all if the Heroine of the story actually thought for herself!
- Set in his ways and always has to be in control

As a voracious romance reader, I thought I knew everything about romance and the birds and the bees. 
Then along came A. 
A. is a real guy, a complete man's man. Brilliant, kind, loving and fun. 
And this is what he taught me about love. 

Patience - Is living with somebody else's quirks on a full time basis and taking deep, calming breaths when faced with a particular quirk which drives you crazy.

Truth - Saying what you mean and how you feel WHEN you feel it so you don't bottle it up. 

Selflessness - When you know that you cannot have your way (...at least, not straight away...) being aware of what the other person needs.
 The minute you tell somebody you love them, you are thinking for two - not one.

Hearing - Hearing what is being said as oppose to just listening.  

Courageous - True love isn't always smooth-sailin' and happy-go-lucky, it's like Yoga.
It's lots of stretching, bending and a little bit of pain! And when the going gets tough, you've gotta straighten out the kinks and grit your teeth. That's something the romance cliche' doesn't teach you! 

After reflecting on what true love taught me in the past three years, I am really glad that A. is a real guy - with real emotions and isn't a fantasy robot that tells me what I want to hear (which I thought was real.) 
Here's to all the real men in the world (and yes, they are there in front of you everyday). 

While we are on the subject of men, here is a piece of advice to the ladies who have had your hearts not only broken, but ripped out and shredded like office paper.
Those of you who say "You cannot trust men." 
Men are trust-worthy. You have just been putting your faith in the wrong ones. 

One last thing ladies, don't go trying to find men who fit your ideal fantasy. 
Love is real. So our men should be too! 

Sarah x







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