On my lunch break, I occasionally visit my friend Wendy's bookshop. Today, I encountered the most adorable couple. They were both mid 70's and had not just a few, but a bag filled with books I was obviously enchanted by this one small fact, but it got better. 

They were from a town just south of Savannah and had driven here just to visit a cabin and read. Yes, this couple wanted to escape every day life into a world of books together. 

I could have cried. It was then that I thought, "I want that some day." 

It is rare that I think of marriage and relationships--though admittedly it has been on my mind more often in the past few months--so this was a very strange moment in my life. My experience with relationships has been less than desirable.  Sadly as you grow older  you realize that most relationships are not as happy as they seem. In fact, most are falling apart and we, as Americans as flawed humans, idealize so many failing relationships because they are entertaining. Who decided that should be the norm?

Now back to this adorable couple. As we sat and chat for a bit they explained to Wendy and I that they woke up every morning at 5:30 to enjoy their coffee together on their porch, and that they often took mini road trips just to experience something new. 

Right then I added this to a pseudo list in my head of what I require of a relationship. My list is quite short, but it is lofty.  

1. I could never date/marry a man who did not love Jesus more than he loves me. It is simple enough. How could you spend your life with someone who did not understand the very core of your being and what makes you who you are. More importantly, a relationship built firmly on a foundation of Christ is one of the most beautiful relationships imaginable. There is no greater love than the one my God showed to me. As Christians, we are called to emulate that love. What could form a better relationship, I ask you?
2. I could never date/ marry a man who did not have an appreciation for music and books. I've been given a strong love and respect for books and music. Not a day goes by that I am not surrounded by both of these things (Thanks,  God!) They are ingrained in my character. I learn more about myself  and the world around me with every book I read, every song I hear. I'm learning the guitar  (and later the piano!) just so that I am able to worship my God more fully and to express myself in new ways...I kind of think I need to be able to share this with someone so important in my life...
3. I could never date a man who does not love adventure. I had a chat with a wonderful friend of mine about how so many couples just sit around and watch television.(boring) That could never be us because we both have insatiable wanderlust.  There is so much beauty in this world. I would never be happy with someone who would say no to my desire to just get up and go on a magic 8  ball road trip or back back across Europe or drive to Canada just because we've never been together.

I am incredibly thankful that I had the opportunity to sit with that couple and chat for just a moment. It gave me the chance to delve a bit more into that convoluted brain of mine and come to terms with the fact that not all relationships are failures. In fact, I'm a bit excited for when God places someone in my life that I can share His  love with, and with whom I can explore this beautiful world He has given us!

Until then