by Bhavya Dabas

Created on: November 10, 2009

In a fairytale universe, they say that true love lasts forever. If it doesn't, it's not true love.

Real life is, in some ways, very different from fairy tales. Even so, true love does last forever and "happily ever after"s do exist. It's just that they exist in a slightly different guise, and you have to know how to recognize them. They also don't come quite as easily, and you have to work towards them.

Love is not about being all over each other all the time when you are with each other and texting sweet nothings when you're apart. Love is not easy, and people don't fall in love instantly or magically.

Love is more about finding someone you like, someone who also likes you, and then working on the relationship together and gradually developing a stronger affection for each other. It is about slowly and steadily discovering each other and getting to know each other's imperfections. And knowing that some things are bigger and more important than those imperfections. It is about learning not to let your ego stand in the way of how much you care for the other person. Knowing which disagreements to argue about, and which subjects to agree to disagree on. That is the kind of relationship that evolves over time, grows as you grow, and changes as you change. And if it does change and evolve with the two people involved, it does last forever.

When two people are in a relationship that provides them the warmth and security of the other person's companionship and their caring and understanding, while at the same time allowing them time and space to grow in their own right, the relationship works well for both of them. It helps them become better, happier people, which in turn helps them develop a better relationship with each other. Love requires you to be there for the other person, while also ensuring that they have enough room to be their own person. Because when you love somebody, you love them for exactly who they are, and you need to give them the time and space to continue to be who they actually are at heart.

When love is understanding, accommodating and caring, when love knows when to embrace the other person and when to let go, when to hold hands and when to pat them on the back, then love is at its truest, and then, love does last forever.

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