If Only You Respected Me As Much As You Said You Loved Me

The “L” word. The big THREE. “I Love You.”

It’s a big step in any relationship. Saying those three little words holds a lot of value in our modern society. Mumbling the short little phrase has been the beautiful beginning of many relationships.

But as with anything, actions speak far louder than words.

When you said that you loved me, I held that close to my heart. When I said that I loved you, I meant it. It wasn’t just a phrase I threw around to get what I wanted – but to you, that was what it was.

Love is kind. Love is understanding. Love is selfless and unwavering. Love is respecting one another, honoring each other. Love is waking up extra early to take your significant other to work because their car is at the shop. Love is listening to their dreams and wishes and genuinely wanting to support them. Love is going to the museum that maybe doesn’t interest you, but excites your partner, and you would do anything to see them smile.

But instead, love for you was sleeping in while I walked down the dark, sketchy streets to catch the public bus. Love was you lying in bed looking at your phone while I poured out my heart with my dreams and ideas. Love for you was me going to the museum alone, or not going at all because you never did anything unless it was your idea or your wish.

You might have said “I love you,” but you didn’t mean it.

If you respected me as much as you said you loved me, you would have gotten up early to make sure I got to work safely. Instead of going me call a cab every time I needed a ride home from the airport after a work trip, you would have been the first in line. When I expressed my deepest desires and dreams for the future, you should have held them close to your heart, as I did with all of yours.

When we feel that we love someone else, we tend to hold them to a higher standard. We might expect more out of them, yet we also allow them to get away with more.

If my dearest, closest friend spoke to me the way you did, I would have something to say about it. If my BFF said she would pick me up from work, then bailed because she was too lazy, I would know something was up. I would feel this way because I know our friendship, our love and the bond that we have. Best friends are there for each other, plain and simple.

But for some reason, romantic love can sometimes cloud our vision. Even though I might have expected more from you than some average Joe, I also let you get away with more.

When you said you were too tired to help me clean up the house, I let you sleep. The strings in my heart were tugged because I wanted to do things that made you happy because my love was backed with respect. I did things for you and sacrificed things that I wanted because I cared about your feelings. I wanted you to come home after a hard day at work and feel relaxed. I wanted you to spend time with your guy friends so you could unwind. I tried to make you a nice dinner because making you happy made me happy. I respected you and your wishes.

I don’t think you did these things on purpose, but I think you have a lot to learn before you try to love another.

I’m not perfect at all – no one is, but I do know that no matter what, I respected you – if only you could have done the same.

About the Author: Madalyn is a Florida-born girl who has spent the last four years working and basking in the Caribbean sun. Even though she grew up dancing professionally, she is often called a “bull in a china shop” for her clumsy ways. A true lover of the outdoors and new places, Madalyn is always up for an adventure. She has a vast taste for different types of music, often getting caught dancing wherever she is. Writing has always been a passion for Madalyn, and she’s made it her personal life mission to spread the love through words by detailing the eccentricities, from the unconventional to the mundane, of a 20-something just trying to figure out this life, one adventure at a time.