blurred lines

the first time i ever came across this picture i had just gotten out of a 4 year relationship.  he was my first love, and we dated for the majority of my college years.  i was immediately drawn to this picture, probably because it depicted something that i didn't have when i was with him -- self sufficiency.




it took me a good two years to reevaluate, rebuild, and to grow from that relationship.  at the end of it i was in a really good place about who i was, what i wanted and happy although i had no idea what'd be in store for me.  faith in good let me do that.

and then came a different kind of love
my next boyfriend made me feel safe, and let me know that he knew i could take care of myself,
but he just wanted to support me
he wanted to love me.

and i let him. and i loved him too.

but things got inbetween us
geography
timing
misunderstandings
pride

where is the line between love, grace,
and feeling like you're compromising too much of yourself, what you want, and what you believe in?

i feel like that's a line that gets blurred a lot.
my inability to tell the difference is my greatest fear.

it's easier to remind yourself to be strong, to have spikes coming out of our sweaters
but the truth is that we're all pretty delicate things.
accepting that is something that i've been learning lately.
people just want to be loved.