Thoughtful Thursday

I often can't find clarity in my thoughts until I sit down to write.

Recently, I was told a story that has just struck me. A recently engaged man told his friends "You know that moment, when you're standing around at a party, and your wife walks in the room. You think 'I'm married to the most beautiful woman here.'…Well, I'm never going to have that moment."

This story has just really hit me lately, and I have tried to put myself in that girl's shoes. I have felt such sympathy for his fiance. I would never want to feel as if the person I was with was settling for me. Like I was somehow second best. I understand that I am not the most beautiful woman in the world. I'm chubby, out-of-shape, I'm short, I wear glasses, my list of flaws could go on and on.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  Beauty is not just physical.  Beauty can be found in a bright smile at how beautiful the stars are; or a simple gesture like helping an elderly lady with her groceries that makes you melt; or at sunlight when your loved one is still sleeping beside you, bedhead, bad breath, and all.

I also understand attraction. There are certain things that draw you to people. And I understand that "attraction" is different for everyone.

A swoonworthy glance; a sexy, intelligent conversation; a deep belly laugh that brings a smile to your face...If you believe that attraction is purely physical, well honey, you're selling yourself short.

I have been in love twice in my life. Neither man was perfect. They were flawed. They might never have been picked as "Sexiest Man Alive" by the world's standards…but to me, when they walked into a room, they had my attention. I felt butterflies, I felt a sense of pride, and my heart just beamed. They may not have fit the mold for "the world's perfect man," but to me, they were everything.

See, in the end, it's not solely about looks. It's not about having the perfect body, the perfect hair, the most beautiful eyes, perfect teeth, etc. It's not. When you love someone, truly love someone, you see their inner beauty shine through. You are PROUD to have that person standing beside you.