Love: a choice, not a necessity.

I thought because I love you meant because I need you.

I thought I needed her, so I thought I loved her.

I had never felt anything like it.

She was the gasoline to my fire, she made me burn brighter.

She made me fall so hard, so deep, so fast.

I couldn’t tell if I wanted to drown or swim, because she’s what I was drowning in.

I sank farther and farther, but I became comfortable in the depths of her.

She became my everything.

She needed me.

She needed me to hold her because she couldn’t stand on her own.

She needed me to be her purpose.

And needing someone is loving them, right?

Right?

Wrong.

Love does not say it’s okay when all my friends tell me it’s bad for me, and tell me I’m better without them when they leave.

Love does not whisper sweet nothings and promises while twisting a knife in my back to keep me from getting away.

Love does not manipulate me with sex when I try to talk about our problems.

Love does not threaten to commit suicide if I leave.

Love does not hold me down with “But you love me don’t you’s?” and “Just leave, leave like your parents left you’s.”

Love does not make me feel guilty for doing what is best for my mental health.

Love does not need me, love does not keep me from being who myself needs.

I couldn't love her, because I couldn’t love who I was when I was with her.

Love is not needing someone.

Love is choosing someone.

Love is choosing someone despite their faults, fighting for them through their pain, and encouraging them to be the best person they can be.

Love is pure. Love is kind. Love is selfless. Love is effort. Love is compassion.

Love is wanting the best for that person, even if the best isn’t you.

Love is communication, not manipulation.

Love is healing, not breaking.  

Love is trusting their intentions. Love is respecting their boundaries.

Love is, and should always be, the most beautiful thing in the world.

Because I love you does not mean because I need you.

Because I love you means because I choose you.

I can live without you, but because I love you, I choose not to.

You can live without me, but because you love me, you choose not to.

We can take on this world alone, but because we love each other, we will do it

together.