The Sign of Love -- an Interview
True love seldom needs grand romantic gestures. It is often subtle; your heart will recognize it before your mind catches on.
How can you tell when someone loves you? How do you know if that person is the one?
I was recently asked these questions during a podcast interview centered on love. The host, Dawn, has an extraordinary love story of her own, which inspires her to share other couples’ experiences on her podcast, “Unexpected Love Story.”
Speaking with Dawn provided a refreshing break from my days filled with politics and finance, allowing me to reflect on and appreciate different aspects of my life. If you don’t want to read the rest of the post, you can watch or listen to the podcast here, and feel free to share your love story in the comment section.
My husband Mike and I met on a blind date set up by our friends. Unfortunately, the date did not go well because we began discussing politics (quick PSA: if you're still seeking love, steer clear of political topics on your first date). Mike is conservative, and I leaned left back then. We ended up having a heated debate about school choice. While I was passionate, Mike remained calm throughout the discussion. He’s not the type to raise his voice or pound the table, even though he firmly believes in his convictions.
After dinner, wine, and our argument, I assumed I would never see him again. However, Mike didn’t give up simply because we disagreed. This showed me that he isn’t a narrow-minded person. We continued to see each other and debated various issues. He is intellectually honest and won’t agree on something just to make me happy. At the same time, he’s always willing to listen to my viewpoint. It’s refreshing to disagree without being disagreeable.
As our relationship developed, I noticed that whenever we walked on a sidewalk, he always walked on the outside, keeping me to walk inside. This happened so frequently that I eventually asked him why he did it. He simply replied that he wanted to protect me and keep me safe. This small gesture revealed so much about his character. In that moment, I knew he was the one.
True love seldom needs grand romantic gestures. True love doesn’t scream “look at me!” It is often subtle; your heart will recognize it before your mind catches on. You will know you are loved when the person by your side is ready to go to extraordinary lengths to ensure your safety and prioritizes your well-being above their own. He does it so instinctively and selflessly that it hardly registers as anything remarkable to him.
Here is the episode of love that I recorded recently. You can watch or listen here, and feel free to share your love story in the comment section. Happy Valentine’s Day!