When I was 18, I thought love was dramatic. Kisses in the rain, intense arguments that ended with someone running through an airport — like the rom-coms told me.
I thought love had to be constant butterflies. That it should be all-consuming. That if it didn’t hurt a little, it wasn’t real.
But now, 15 years later, I know love is quieter. Softer. And so much stronger than I ever understood back then.
What I Thought Love Was (At 18):
- Texts that made my heart race
- Grand gestures and surprise roses
- Needing to talk 24/7 or something must be wrong
- Jealousy = passion
- Being afraid they’d leave at any moment
What I Know Now:
- Love is feeling safe in silence.
- It’s someone who remembers how you take your tea — and when you need it most.
- It’s belly laughs over 15-year-old in-jokes and quoting The Inbetweeners too much.
- It’s being able to say “I’m struggling” without fear.
- It’s planning a future with someone who knows your chaos — and stays anyway.
Fifteen years after that first fluttery crush at Movie Camp, I’m engaged to the boy I met there. We’ve grown. We’ve changed. But it’s still us — just stronger, realer, and ready for forever.
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be this:
You don’t have to earn love by being perfect. You are worthy of it simply by being you.
Daisy’s Corner 💬
Ugh, love. Gross. Just kidding (sort of). But seriously, if your idea of romance includes sobbing into an M&S lasagna because he microwaved it after your meltdown — you’re doing it right. Bonus points if he doesn’t even ask why, just gives you a cuddle and presses play on your comfort show. That’s the good stuff. Now go hug your partner and tell them they smell nice. Or don’t. I’m not your mum.
Actually Asten 
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