Thirty. Four.

Morning readers and fellow bloggers. Question.

How many of you have been in a relationship?

Dumb question right?

Now, how about this:

How many of you have been in a relationship because you need that person?

I'm pretty sure we can all nod in agreement right?

Now, how about this:

How many of you have been in a relationship because you want that person?

Hands still up? Good.

Last question:

How many of you don't think there's a difference between "needing" and "wanting" a relationship?

Chances are, most hands are still up.

There's this funny thing that happens when you like someone: you lose yourself. You get sucked into this alternate reality that includes you and that person only. And at some point or another, that world becomes more and more about that person, and less and less about you.

We've all been there. And even if we aren't now, and you are one of the ones who put your hand down, we know what it's like to need a person. To feel like we thrive and exist because of them. And we also know how foolish we were. And if you haven't come to this realization yet, wake up.

The problem with most relationships, is they aren't constructive. They rarely provide an environment for growth. In the short term, it's this whirlwind of laughter, sex, dumbfounded infatuation. But as time goes, and we begin to recover form blissful blindness, things plateau. Fighting starts. And tug of war ensues. Maybe quietly. Maybe not. But rather than growing together, many relationships slowly enter this downward spiral, tearing one another to pieces along the way.

In essence, that shouldn't be what a relationship is about. Your significant other should be able to bring out the best in you, as you should be able to do within them. It should be a foot race, seeing who can get to the top first, but instead of actually trying to beat out the other, you're helping each other the entire way. A relationship that needs doesn't do that for you.

But a relationship that wants, does. Because then both partners know they can stand on their own just fine. But it's the fact that they still choose to be with one another that makes the relationship so beautiful. Love shouldn't come with a life support machine. Love should come with a mind, a body, and a soul. The three things that lit your fire in the beginning should be what keeps it burning....not just for that person, but for yourself as well.