The Privilege of Being Loved

We often don’t realize what a privilege it is to be loved — to be wanted, to be made to feel special by someone, to be that person’s “person.” To be cherished. To have a safe place free of judgment.

There are so many things we take for granted when we’re loved — the walks with their fingers interlaced with yours, always having a shoulder to rest on, the playful tousle of your hair, the long silent hugs, watching movies curled up next to each other. When I replay that one relationship in my head, these are the moments that come back. I remember thinking this would last forever. And suddenly, at 3 a.m., I find myself reminiscing about what it felt like to be touched by them.

We act like loving someone is complicated, but I think it’s actually simple. Almost paradoxically so — maybe what makes it feel complicated is its simplicity. Love is just showing up, in the good times and the bad. Show up. It sounds simple, but somehow it’s the hardest thing to do.

What a privilege it is to be loved — a privilege we so often take for granted.