gratitude.

I've had quite a few blunders in my life. The great thing about my life, though, is that it resembles an after-school special. I always seem to learn a lesson.

I like to think of these lessons as epiphanies.

My most recent category of blunders includes the incident that led to my last blog post. It also includes my most recent epiphany.

Epiphany:
Through all of my missteps, screw-ups and heartbreaks, I've learned to be extremely thankful of my ex-boyfriend (henceforth referred to as "Boy").

It sounds strange, right?

I've had so many mistakes since him; each time I was a little more intent on finding love; each time I was reminded that it wasn't real.

Boy was my only real relationship: my first date, my first kiss, my first love. I've recently come to be grateful that he taught me how a real relationship looks.

In every blunder I experience, I'm reminded that Christ should be at the center. I'm reminded that I should be respected. That I should respect the guy. That we should help each other grow. That I should get giggly and goofy and walk into doors when I see him. (Yes, I walked into a door on my first date with Boy.)

Of course, none of this exists in a blunder.

So, I'm thankful to Boy for teaching me that I deserve better. I'm thankful for his love, his direction, his compassion, his encouragement, his compliance when tolerating my ridiculous endeavors . . .

To Boy: Thank you. I pray my husband treats me like you did and loves God like you do. Thank you for teaching me what to expect.