Article by: Atty. Dmitriy Borshchak

Ever wonder what true love means? We've all grown up on a steady diet of fairy tales and romantic comedies that give us some pretty unrealistic expectations about relationships. Forget everything you think you know about love. It's now time for a reality check. 

True love isn't hearts and flowers and happily ever after. It's not finding your soulmate or your one true love. It's not love at first sight or needing to complete someone else to feel whole. Real love, the kind that lasts, is a choice and a commitment to a flawed but deserving partner. It's knowing them, accepting them as they are, and choosing them every day despite their imperfections and differences. 

If you want to find a love that's real, start by redefining what real love means to you.

True Love Means Accepting Your Partner Unconditionally

According to a renowned Divorce Attorney in Columbus, many couples separate because they struggle to accept each other's flaws. 

True love

True love means accepting your partner unconditionally, flaws and all. It's not about finding someone who meets a checklist of requirements or expectations. Real love is embracing everything about your partner - even the parts that aren't perfect.

  • Love their flaws. No one is without flaws and imperfections. Learn to accept your partner as they are, imperfections included. Overlook their little annoying habits and weaknesses. Focus on the qualities you genuinely appreciate about them instead.
  • Don't try to change them. You can't force someone to change their essential nature. While people can choose to improve themselves, you have to accept them as they are. If you're constantly trying to reshape them to your liking, that's not real love.
  • Support them through challenges. True love means standing by your partner through difficulties, struggles and hard times. Be there for them when they experience failure or face obstacles. Your support and encouragement can make a world of difference.
  • Compromise when needed. A healthy relationship requires balance, and sometimes compromise. Be willing to meet in the middle instead of demanding to get your way. Compromise shows you value your partner and their needs.
  • Forgive their mistakes. No one is perfect, so your partner is bound to mess up from time to time. Choose to forgive them for their errors and imperfections. Holding onto resentment and anger will only damage your relationship in the long run. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself as much as your partner.

True love is about fully embracing another person by accepting them as they are. It's not the fairytale you see in movies - it's the willingness to overlook imperfections, support one another, compromise and forgive. That is the kind of unconditional love that can stand the test of time.

True Love Is Built on Mutual Trust, Respect and Compromise

When you think of true love, you probably imagine heart flutters, passion, and romance. But real, lasting relationships are built on much more than that. True love is really about:

Mutual trust

You can't have a healthy relationship without trust. Being able to confide in each other, share your feelings openly, and know that you have each other's backs no matter what. Always follow through on your promises and be transparent with each other.

Respect

Treat your partner the way you want to be treated. Value them, their opinions, and their needs. Compromise when you disagree and be willing to meet in the middle. Say "please", "thank you", and "I appreciate you" regularly. Respect also means giving each other space to maintain your interests and independence.

Compromise

A relationship requires balancing what you both want and finding solutions you're both happy with. Be willing to listen to each other and find common ground. Compromise also means sometimes putting your partner's needs first. But make sure it goes both ways-don't be a doormat!

True love isn't just about grand gestures and physical intimacy. It's really about the little things: Making your partner coffee in the morning, listening when they want to talk, doing small favors, being emotionally supportive, complimenting them, and making them laugh.

Real love also requires effort; it's not something that just happens. Choose each day to be kind,

compassionate, generous, and forgiving. Choose to commit to the relationship and weather hard times together. True love is built one day at a time through mutual trust, respect, compromise, and actively loving your partner in little ways.

True Love Goes Beyond Infatuation and Requires Selflessness

True love goes beyond the infatuation and lust of a new relationship. It requires selflessness, compromise, and a willingness to accept your partner, flaws and all.

Commitment

True love means committing to the relationship for the long haul. It's easy to commit when things are going well, but true love means sticking together even when times get tough. This includes being willing to work through challenges and disagreements in a constructive way.

Compromise

In a truly loving relationship, both partners are willing to compromise when needed. This means listening to each other's perspectives, being open to alternative solutions, and finding a solution you're both comfortable with. Compromise requires seeing your partner's needs and happiness as equally important as your own.

Acceptance

Loving someone means accepting them as they are, imperfections and all. This means avoiding judgement, and criticism or trying to change them to suit your needs. Acceptance is about seeing your partner's essence - their spirit, heart and soul - and loving them unconditionally.

Selflessness

Putting the needs of your partner first is a hallmark of true love. This could mean sacrificing your desires or conveniences at times to make them happy or support them in pursuing their dreams and goals. Selflessness builds goodwill and strengthens the bonds of affection between two people.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, real love is more than just romantic feelings. It's about accepting each other, building trust, respecting one another, and making compromises. True love involves committing to the relationship, even during tough times, and being selfless by putting your partner's needs first. It's not about changing someone or expecting perfection; it's about embracing each other's imperfections and choosing to love every day. So, if you're looking for lasting love, focus on understanding, trusting, and supporting each other in both big and small ways.

Credits to Atty. Dmitriy Borshchak

dmitriy borshchak

Dmitriy Borshchak is a caring family lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, and the founder of The Law Office of Dmitriy Borshchak. Although he initially explored a brief career in medicine, Dmitriy discovered his true passion in helping people navigate tough situations through the legal field.

At his firm, Dmitriy deals with various complex legal matters like divorce, child custody, child support, marital agreements, fathers' rights, and spousal support. In every case, he focuses on managing and reducing his clients' financial and legal risks. Dmitriy takes a personalized and systematic approach, providing clear and straightforward advice to his clients. Regardless of the case's difficulty, he is committed to strongly advocating for his clients' rights and best interests.