Our Cursed Love

by Julie Abe

“But for me, love is about more than just falling in love once. Real love is about falling in love every day. Love is about staying in love, and loving who your partner is and loving yourself in those moments. It’s about being with someone who sees you as you are, yet also is someone you trust to be by your side as you become who you want to be, as you take chances, without holding you back. That’s why I kind of hate that idea of a white-picket-fence future, two kids and a dog, all of that. Because that’s a safety net and someone else’s dream. I feel like real love is about the continual process of growing into who you want to be, and having someone who encourages and supports you through that—though maybe sometimes they play the devil’s advocate”—she raises an eyebrow at her boyfriend, who’s laughing with his younger brother—“but they don’t hold you back from being you or the future you.”