This is a love story.

I think we can agree that most girls watch Disney movies and dream about their Prince Charming sweeping them off their feet in a whirlwind of song and dance from a very young age. As they get older, though, they start realizing that the world isn't a fairy tale where the first boy that shows interest in them is the one they run off into the sunset with. Sometimes, the one who shows you what real love is is the one you weren't paying enough attention to in the first place.

We sat at the top of the mountain, eating a nutritious meal of cheese, salami, and crackers together while taking in the view of the landscape. We were on a hike with our summer leadership program. The sun was out, the peaks around us were vibrant green, and the sky was blue; everything was perfect. We read Psalm 19 together and took in the glory around us.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world."

Something felt right and peaceful, but I didn't know what it was. I was just happy to sit and enjoy the view. A few days later, after pushing away feelings for him that I'd had for over a year, I realized that I was still infatuated.

For the next year after I'd realized that I still liked him I had to be patient. It's so super freaking hard to be patient when you really like someone, but the timing wasn't right and there was nothing I could do about it. I had consistently been praying for patience, and when I realized that this was the opportunity that I'd been praying for, I knew I was being called to wait. So I did.

The doubt I experienced during the year that he and I spent apart was extremely crippling at times. Telling your parents or your friends that you feel called to wait for a boy who lives almost two hours away and you haven't talked to in months feels a little too naive. I didn't understand how I knew or why, but even when it seemed all too unlikely that he cared, I knew he did. Patience.

In high school, I rode the train to school every day. It was about a 30 minute commute, and every day I used the trip as an opportunity to pray and read through a bible plan on my phone. Some were about being faithful, others were about finding peace in the middle of hardship, but the one that stood out to me the most popped up while I was scrolling through them one day. The title of it was, "Wait and See." I read the first devotional and started to cry. Every word seemed to be directed at me. I knew that my waiting was not in vain. I vividly remember feeling so wrapped up in love that in that moment I knew I wasn't alone. It was the little sign I needed to keep going.

I slowly began to realize that being patient and being stuck are two very different things. When you're stuck you don't move. There's no progress and there's no hope. Being patient, however, means moving forward in anticipation, but also in contentment. Content in your circumstances and confident that by being faithful God will take care of the rest. Junior year was a culmination of learning those truths and through it I found peace and joy even in the midst of tough schoolwork, the stress of looking at colleges, and missing a boy who might not miss me. I was starting to understand that developing a personal relationship with God that involves listening, praying, and waiting is the most important thing you can ever do.

I truly think that it was my decision to obey, be patient, and pursue a deeper faith that eventually led to a feeling of peace that I'd never understood before. I spent a lot of that year heartbroken, but there was a lasting joy that allowed me to push through and do well in school, take care of those around me, and genuinely look forward to every single day. Before being swept away by my tall, dark, and handsome Prince Charming, I needed to be reminded of who the most important Prince Charming in my life is, and that's Jesus.

Luke and I have been dating for a year and a half now. It took us about three years to actually start dating, but the wait was worth it. Honestly, it's been the best year and a half ever. He's truly my best friend and I couldn't be more thankful for the relationship that we've developed. I'd like to take credit for it, but I really believe that our ability to love God first and foremost has deeply rooted and strengthened our relationship. Being committed to Christ and then each other has given us a foundation to lean back on even when we don't feel like loving one another. Although our relationship is still young and we haven't had any major fights, we do get frustrated with each other over silly things, and sometimes I find myself thinking, "if he doesn't apologize first then I'm just going to stay mad and wait for him to figure it out." WWJD people!!!!! Gotta check that attitude, be honest with myself about my own faults, and apologize for being such a poop because being friends and loving each other well means way more than being right. It seems like a small thing, but small offenses can really build up and cause a rift between you and someone you love.

I tell you this story firstly to share just one example of God's fulfilled promises in my life, but I also share it in the hopes that you'll understand that there is good in waiting, and being faithful is worthwhile. Being in a relationship does not determine whether or not it's important to maintain a firm foundation in Christ. What does matter is your level of commitment to obeying God's word and listening carefully to determine what He desires from you - single or not. If you are in a relationship, though, understand this - your significant other will never fully satisfy the desires of your heart. Although there is so much joy and love to be had in being with another person, Jesus is the only one who will ever really satisfy you.

Your true Prince Charming is the one who died on the cross for you. That will never change. Live for Him and you will be filled with joy even in the darkest moments of your life.

Remember,

be strong & courageous.

xo.

Flannery Grace