The Love I’m Waiting For

Learning to Choose Peace Over Compromise

In a world that moves quickly, urging us to settle down and find “the one,” waiting for a relationship that truly fills our soul can feel like a challenge. It’s easy to wonder if the love we’re seeking will ever come or if it’s just a distant hope. But true love—the kind that brings peace, joy, and ease—doesn’t always arrive on our schedule. Sometimes, it comes into our lives as something we experience only platonically, showing us what we need and giving us faith to wait a little longer for it.

My friendship with someone very special has shown me what that love looks like. He’s been a constant in my life, someone who lifts my spirits and brings me genuine happiness. Though our connection isn’t romantic, our bond has given me a glimpse of the kind of love I yearn for. Being around him makes me realize that I don’t just want a relationship—I want one that feels as easy, natural, and fulfilling as our friendship. This post is a reflection on what it means to hold out for that kind of love, with patience and faith that the right person will eventually find their way into my life.

Lessons from the Waiting

The journey of waiting for true love isn’t just about sitting back and hoping; it’s about becoming more deeply aware of what we need and the kind of connection that will uplift us. The Bible says in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” This kind of waiting takes courage, as it invites us to strengthen our sense of self, so that when the right person does arrive, we’re ready to recognize and embrace them.

There was a time when I thought I had found love with someone. But over time, I realized he wasn’t what I needed. Instead of bringing me joy, our connection left me feeling emotionally drained. It was hard to let go, and sometimes I still wonder if I gave him enough of a chance. But I look back and realize the heaviness in that relationship was a sign. As Maya Angelou said, “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” Her words remind me that the relationships we allow into our lives should be reciprocal, bringing joy and support rather than exhaustion.

A Friendship That Feels Like Home

One of the most defining relationships in my life has been my friendship with someone who understands me on a deep level. We’ve taken memorable trips together over the years, each one building more memories and strengthening our bond. Our first unforgettable trip was to Paris in 2003. For both of us, it was our first time seeing the city, and for me, it was a chance to revisit a place I’d fallen in love with during a summer study program of that same year. We spent four incredible days exploring Paris—visiting all the landmarks, indulging in French pastries, and getting lost in the beauty of the city. We’d wake up early at 6 a.m., not wanting to miss a single moment, and wouldn’t return until midnight, exhausted but exhilarated. Those shared moments brought us closer than ever.

Recently, we traveled to Marseille, and it felt as though no time had passed. We laughed, shared incredible meals under the warm evening lights, and talked about our dreams and plans for the future. Our friendship, so natural and joyful, has shown me what I truly seek in a relationship. Being with him reminds me that I want more than romance; I want a partner who feels like home, with whom I can share laughter, deep conversations, and quiet, comforting moments.

And so, I continue to wait for that person, someone who can bring the same peace and joy into my life as my friend does. I don’t know if he’ll ever come, but for now, I choose to hold onto hope and embrace the wait.

Soul Insights

1. Listen to Your Energy

Just as our bodies signal when we need rest, our spirits signal when a connection isn’t right. My friendship with someone who leaves me feeling whole and at peace reminds me that the right people leave us feeling restored, not drained. When we find this kind of ease with someone, it’s a clue about the kind of relationship that will truly serve us. As it says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Guarding our hearts means being selective about who impacts our emotional well-being.

2. Value Non-Romantic Love

The connections that recharge us aren’t always romantic. My friend’s presence in my life reminds me that love comes in many forms. The joy and peace I feel around him teach me that genuine connection can be found in friendships, too. Rumi beautifully captured this idea when he said, “Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.” These connections are precious and serve as reminders of the love we deserve.

3. Trust in Divine Timing

Often, we think we’re ready for love, but timing has its own wisdom. Every season of singleness and waiting has a purpose, preparing us for the right person when the time is right. Reflecting on past relationships, I see now that each experience taught me valuable lessons. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Trusting this timing is essential.

4. Clarify Your Heart’s Desire

Through my friendship, I’ve gained clarity on what I genuinely want: a relationship that brings peace, energy, and joy. Without these experiences, I might have settled for a love that didn’t satisfy my heart’s needs. Taking time to reflect on what we truly desire can save us from compromising on something as precious as love.

5. Recognize That Love Isn’t About Fixing

Sometimes, we stay in draining relationships because we believe we can “fix” them or change the person. But true love isn’t about being someone’s savior. Instead, it flows naturally, lifting both people up. Looking back, I see that trying to “fix” someone only drained us both. Now, I’m committed to waiting for someone who brings as much peace to my life as I bring to theirs.

Final Thoughts: Waiting with Faith

Waiting for real love is a journey of faith and patience. It can be tempting, especially when we feel alone or stagnant in our love lives, to settle just to avoid loneliness. But I’ve learned that rushing into something that doesn’t align with our soul only takes us further from the happiness we seek. Real love isn’t a race; it’s a slow, steady journey toward someone who will make our hearts feel truly at home.

In the meantime, I cherish the connections I already have—the friendships that remind me of the peace and joy I’m seeking in a partner. They are gentle reminders of the energy I deserve, keeping me grounded and hopeful as I wait. And as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds us, “Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Waiting for real love is an act of patience, hope, and courage.

To those who are also on this journey, I encourage you to have faith that the love you’re waiting for will come at the right time. In the meantime, treasure the people who uplift you, let go of relationships that drain you, and nurture a deep love within yourself. The love we’re waiting for is out there, and when it finally arrives, we’ll be ready to embrace it fully, with open hearts.

Soul Path Insights