We all know the typical cliche love stories that we see many times in movies – guy meets girl and they both happen to have the same interest, personalities that click, and a charm that attracts each other. We picture in our minds that a true love story is when we find our perfect match, our soulmate that we have been dreaming of every night.

Now, this is probably true, but only in the beginning of a love story.

So what is a true love story? From my own experience, it is definitely not what movies portray or what our minds dream about.

When I first dated my boyfriend things went perfectly. All we wanted was each other, and we could simply gaze at one another all day long. We were at that point in our relationship when we both wanted to do whatever the other person wanted to do.

Sounds like a typical love story right? But just a month ago, I really started to question if I was in the right relationship. My relationship just didn’t seem to fit with the typical “love story” that I had always pictured was right for everyone. We have been dating for almost 2 years now, which isn’t that long, but it was long enough to a point where I could see our love story start to fade away.

He started getting into his hobby collection and playing games, while I started getting more involved with church activities. I liked going to the mall, he didn’t. He liked to stay at home, I liked to go out. I loved to talk and ramble about my revelations with God, while he wasn’t always the perfect listener.

The fact was, we were two different people. And if we did have a similarity, it was the fact that we both would get mad when things didn’t go our way.

I was desperate for our old love story to come back, for us to have passion for one another like before. I yearned for his support and understanding which seemed to only get worse. But it was in my devotion time with God, when he spoke 3 words that really changed my relationship.

Love is patient.

God showed me that love is patient – it always hopes and perseveres for the best of the other. Love is willing to wait everyday in hopes that the other person will change. This is the kind of true love story that God had planned for each couple to live; to have a love that shows how God loves us.

Psalm 136:1 says, “..God’s love never fails.” How is it possible that God’s love will never fail? Because his love is a love that is patient. He patiently waits for us in hopes that we will change and love him more. His arms are always open to welcome us on that day when we will run into his arms. God will never give up on us because his love is always waiting and believing for us to come back to him.

This is the love that a true love story should have – a love that will never fail, and one that cannot fail. How can love fail when it never ceases to give up on the other?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “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, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..” If this is love, then how can love fail? True love was never made to fail.

Through my relationship, God really showed me what a true love story really is.

A true love story is not when two perfectly matched people come together, but rather when two different people come together and try everyday to be a perfect match for one another. Love is a choice and commitment to choose to love the other. Love is not a result of an emotional bonding, but rather it creates an emotional bonding.

Emotional love feelings were never made to last forever, but love as is stated in 1 Corinthians 13 was made to stand forever. A year ago I made a huge mistake and thought my boyfriend would never forgive me for it, but he stood by me and still chose to love me. He chose to be patient and hope for the best of me.

Today, by the grace of God I have been changed, and changed for the better. True love is a love that never gives up on the other, one that loves unconditionally. God reminded me that now it is my turn to be patient, because that is what love is. My boyfriend and I now try everyday to please one another and grow in Christ together. Because of my new perspective on what love is, our love story has definitely changed.

It takes both people in relationship to choose to love one another for a relationship to thrive. We will never be perfect for one another,  but we will never stop trying to be perfect for one another. So remember, this is what a true love story really is.