love.

Late last night, I sat at our computer and prepared to take an online midterm I had for one of my classes. The test was due in a few hours and we had just returned from a family dinner. Since we'd been out of town and on-the-go all week, I wasn't prepared even the slightest for the test...hadn't read the chapters, didn't know the material and didn't have time to do any of it before I had to start the test. Well, the deadline was fast approaching and I had one hour from the time I started the test to finish it before the clock ran out.

Just as I cracked open the book and began to somewhat freak out, G breezed into the room, took the textbook from my hands and settled in next to the computer to literally take the entire test with me. He stayed next to me for that hour and looked up every question I didn't know (yes, it was open book) which, considering my study habits, was pretty much every single question.

We finished just as the clock ran out and call it pathetic, but as I hit "submit" I felt completely overwhelmed with gratitude and love for him. Sometimes I get caught up in what the world says "being in love" is. We see it in every movie; they tell us it's flowers, over-the-top romantic gestures, expensive gifts, non-stop excitement and butterflies that never go away. Well, G isn't the most romantic man in the world and he thinks flowers are a waste of money and although I am still head-over-heels in love with him, I can't say I still feel the initial excitement I did when I met him almost 4 years ago.

But last night, as we finished that test, it suddenly occurred to me that I had just seen an act of selfless love. The fact that G cared enough about my feelings, my stresses, my obstacles to literally sit next to me and help me with every single question...that was love.

And next time he forgets to get a gift, or open a door, or plan something romantic I am going to remind myself that he shows me he loves me every day in the little things he does to make my life better and easier. He cares enough to be there for me when it REALLY counts.

And that's love.