‘‘Call me as soon as you can… it’s important,’’ the text from Emily read.
From the first time I saw Emily and Adam together, my perspective of love began to change completely. I learned what it was to make sacrifices, to grow, and to thrive through a relationship. They were the epitome of perfection, #relationshipgoals.
When I think of Emily and Adam, I remember the long distance that they so gracefully overcame through travel and late-night calls. I roomed with Emily for a year and would watch her leave the room for what she said would be five minutes of speaking to Adam. Those five minutes became ten, which ultimately turned into a few hours, while cookie dough ice cream and Scandal kept me company through it all. Although I missed her for those few hours, Emily’s smile at the end of her conversations was contagious. She spent the night talking, laughing, and listening to Adam, catching up on the lives that they lived separately and yet somehow together.
Emily and Adam gave me hope and the concept of love. Their relationship was definitely not easy, and yet they made it seem so effortless. They were genuinely happy, regardless of the sacrifices they had to make in order to remain together. Emily loved Adam so deeply that she beamed at the thought of him, and Adam’s love for Emily was the same, if not stronger. He would send her gifts and surprises— anything to put a smile on her face.
“I love every minute of life when I’m with him,” Emily said.
Emily is never the one to make a big deal out of anything, so when she texted me that she had news for me, I knew something major had happened. Emily and Adam had discussed marriage and the idea of a summer wedding. With that in mind, I expected a call from Emily to mean Adam had finally proposed to her. Thankfully, I stopped myself from asking her if he had popped the question because I quickly discovered that she was not calling to share happy news.
“He broke up with me,” Emily said quietly, “But I’m okay.”
At the sound of her broken voice, I tried my best to stay strong. The news of her breakup could not have been more surprising. I knew that her dreams of a lifetime with Adam had been shattered and that my preconceived ideas for her bachelorette party and summer wedding plans were suddenly meaningless.
Emily and Adam were no longer Emily and Adam. With the break of their relationship, my heart broke as well – for my best friend Emily, for Adam, and for anyone who puts profound effort into a dream that ultimately fails to come true.
Emily rarely cries. She fights back tears, even when she is at her weakest. Her ability to see the positive in every situation is inspirational. Emily lost love and over a year of passionate dedication to a man, but when it all ended, she jumped back into her passion for medicine. She began working on her applications to nursing school, focusing on herself and her studies. By witnessing Emily’s ability to move on after the breakup, I learned a few valuable lessons to pass on.
First and foremost, you are only as strong as you decide to be. I know it may seem daunting to enter a relationship when there is a chance of it failing. But building a relationship is always a learning process, regardless of the end result. Do not be afraid of what the future holds.
Finally, for those currently in a relationship, it is important to remember that your relationship should never be taken for granted. A relationship is fragile. It should be thoroughly enjoyed, never rushed. It should not be compared to any other relationship because no two relationships are the same.
Don’t create goals by observing a seemingly perfect relationship. Make your own relationship goals, and live life day by day.