193. People frequently ask me about how long we've been together. When I tell them six years, they have varied and frankly surprising reactions. Some are happy for us and think that our blissful monogamous relationship is undoubtedly blessed because of its longevity. They encourage us to keep our love strong. Others continually prod me as to the reason why we haven't tied the knot yet, seemingly impatient to be invited to our wedding. I laugh at how they corner me into inviting them to our imaginary nuptials sometime into our imaginary future. And the least favorite reactions are that of skepticism, superstition and that of negativity. 'Six years is a long time. Too long.'. 'Tie the knot soon, don't let it get to seven years or else you won't be together.' 'It's bad luck to be in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship longer than 7 years.' 'You're young. If it doesn't work out there's lots of time so just take it slow.' 'I know couples breaking up on their 7th year.' 'Six years already? You might get bored of him soon so get married quickly.' I just cringe at all of them. I don't need their unsolicited advice that borders on the insulting. At times, these kinds of reactions just makes my blood boil. I believe that they have no right to butt into other people's business. What do they know about our relationship? Nothing. They only see the surface of us as a couple. They don't see all the challenges we've had to overcome. All the heartache we've endured. All the love, time and effort and self- sacrifice we've given to each other. All the memories, good and bad and seemingly ordinary, that we've shared. If they gave advice it should have been that of concern, encouragement and love. Not meant to strike fear. Not meant to incite anger. Not meant to warn. Not meant to show apparent jealousy. Not meant to pressure. Not meant to insult. If they have nothing good to say about us then they should have just kept their mouths shut and their opinions to themselves. I don't know when exactly we are getting married. I don't know if we're going to end up with each other forever even with all the love we have. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. All I know is about today. Today, I love you with all of my heart, with all of my soul, and with all of my mind. Today, I am happy with you and I do hope you are happy with me too. Today, I am here with you to dream with you, to laugh and cry with you, and to love you through all the ways I know how. I can only hope for the best for tomorrow. For our tomorrow. 'How long we've been together' is not what they should have asked me. Instead, they should have asked, 'what has kept you together all this time'. It is a simple answer. Love. And love doesn't have an expiration date.
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