"It's Been A Year, But I'll Be There, Baby."

My current boyfriend Dan and I met in 2009 in college. I had been struggling in a relationship where I felt bad for being positive, where I felt I had little independence, and where I even felt bad about going out to have a good time with the girls. With Dan as just my friend, I began realizing that I deserved so much better. I broke things off with that first boyfriend, and several months later, Dan and I were "talking". It is in this man that I've found my strongest confidante, my greatest joy...the person who treasures me for who I am and has made me feel like I am enough-- like I don't need to change a thing.

It's been a year since we both graduated. It's been a year since we lived in the same city. He's been able to come and see me once every couple of months, and we contact each other every day, either through playful text messages or casual Facebook chats or long webcamming sessions. We continue to talk, laugh, worry, and enjoy time with each other, even though I am in Chicago and he is in Kentucky.

"I'm trying so hard to get to you," he says some nights. "It's just so hard to find a job, baby. But I promise, I'm trying as hard as I can."

Some nights, I give him my tender trust and tell him I know he can do it. Some nights, I'm not so optimistic because of this stupid job market. Sometimes I just want to give up because after a year, I want some good experiences to share with my boyfriend. I want my recollection of the day to include him. I'm tired of our relationship being comprised of precious two-day periods once every two months or so.

But sometimes, I guess there are people who you just feel are worth waiting for.