The Type of Love We All Deserve

​I feel that being able to love and experience love is the best part of life. Love is a perfect concoction of passion, joy, and vulnerability. Love looks, sounds, and feels different for each one of us. Once experienced, love provides us all with this indescribable sense of belonging. This week, two very dear friends of mine are celebrating their fifth year anniversary. Sydney and Roy, thank you for showing us the type of love we all deserve. Your love for one another enchants those around you. You are #couplegoals. Happy Anniversary you love birds, this one is for you.  
 
Before I dive into their story I have this disclaimer: their love story is not lyrics from a Taylor Swift song, nor is it a chapter from a Nicklaus Sparks book, nor is it a scene from the next high school musical, despite how much it may seem so.
 
Where it all started
 
It all started in high school. Sydney was auditioning for the school choir that Roy was co-conducting. Their first conversation took place when Syd was rehearsing in the band room. Roy sat down next to Syd and told her that he thought that she was the prettiest girl in school, hands down. Sydney’s face went bright red and she was speechless. Before Sydney could find words, Roy smiled and left the room- it was a drop mic moment for Roy.
 
Over the course of a few months, their friendship flourished. At age sixteen, on a snowy night Roy drove Sydney home. Trying to keep the date going, they both refused to let the conversation come to an end. A snow plough was quickly approaching, cutting their conversation short. Syd jumped out of the car, when Roy exclaimed the words, “I love you!”. Due to poor timing, Syd closed the door as soon as Roy shared his feelings. Cute and awkwardly, Syd ran inside. 

Photos taken by: Anna Douglas
​Edited by: Sydney Maclennan

​Recognizing love
 
“For some people, love is a spark! Fireworks even. For me it’s a feeling of comfort- a cozy and familiar feeling even when it is all so new. Love is when you look at someone and feel like you’ve known them your whole life. I am not a spontaneous fireworks kind of person, I guess love is when you look at someone and you cannot remember what your life was like without him or her. That’s how you recognize love.”- Sydney
 
Roy’s love for Syd is evident each day. Roy’s goofy persona makes Syd laugh and puts her at ease even she is overwhelmed. Roy eggs her on, making her laugh even in the worst of times. Sometimes, the most powerful gestures of love are in the simplest forms.
 
Most grateful for?
Love should not go unnoticed. It is important to tell those around us how much they mean to us. Recognizing and sharing the simple things others do for us can never be done enough.
 
“I am most grateful for Roy’s patience. His ability to remain calm and collected when I am not is what keeps me moving forward. Roy always sees the best in people. Roy’s empathetic approach to all of his relationships, makes people feel comfortable with him and confident that they will always have a friend to turn to.” –Sydney
 
“I like how strong Syd is. She is independent and is good at everything she does. She always fully puts her mind to whatever she is doing and gives it her all. I am grateful for having someone I can connect with and be myself around- Syd makes it easy.” - Roy

Photos taken by: Anna Douglas
​Edited by: Sydney Maclennan

​For those finding it hard to find love
 
There is more to love than just romance. Love is self-love, kindness, and consideration of others. Love is about allowing yourself to feel joy, and allowing others to appreciate you for who you are. Finding love is about finding people who love you for the person that you are.
 
“It is hard to offer advice on finding love when I have been lucky enough to be comfortably in a relationship for 5 years. I guess… Don’t just go to the Dome? I am just kidding! I would say, pursue the things you are passionate about and you will connect with the people that share the same passions as you. If you are doing the things you are passionate about, you wont feel like you are in a situation where you are doing things for the sole intention of meeting someone. Cultivate your own interests and your own self-love. People will love you for who you are. Cultivate yourself first, and love will follow. Shift your focus from searching for someone to finding yourself. When you do and you find someone, you will have more to put into the relationship if you are truly yourself.” -Sydney
 
“Use Tinder… A LOT. Just kidding! But be confident in yourself. Wait until you meet someone that you can be present with. It’s not about the title of the person you are hanging out with, you know. It’s not like ouuuu I am hanging with Sydney MacLennan. It’s all about the feeling you get when you stop thinking about who they are and it’s just natural- you are just being you and they just happen to be there. Be with someone who becomes a part of you.” –Roy
 
To feel love you must love yourself first. Although people in love compliment each other well, it is important to remember your own independence and strengths.
 
“I feel like I am my own complete person. You know, I have my things and Roy has his. We are independent but when we are together we are double the flame!” –Sydney

Photos taken by: Anna Douglas
​Edited by: Sydney Maclennan

​It’s the little things
 
Love is appreciating the little things that bring you joy. For Sydney and Roy one of the little things they share is their love for music. They started playing music together before they were a couple- music brought these two together.
 
“Before I met Roy I always played classical music on the piano. Roy taught me chords, and encouraged me to improvise. Roy expanded my exploration of music and I will always have that to thank him for.” –Sydney
 
After speaking with Roy and Sydney it was awesome to see all the little things they appreciated about one another.
 
“For some reason, Syd thinks I am the stable one, even though I am not.” -Roy
 
“Roy gets excited for my freckles. Roy loves the summer for this reason!” -Sydney
 
“I like that she can always finish my plate if I can’t. She does this thing where she will take from my plate but I can’t take from hers.” -Roy
 
It’s more than just those three words.
 
There is more to love than saying you love someone- actions speak loud than words (sometimes!).
 
“Roy admires my perseverance. When he is off the walls, I can focus… well unless I am procrastinating, in which case I put us both in the same off the wall category! We compliment each other well." -Sydney
 
Love is about respecting one another’s values.
 
“We both value the importance of family time.” -Sydney
 
Love is about support, and being each other’s biggest fans!
 
“Regardless of my awkwardness, he never gave up on me. Roy is my biggest fan for everything. We are always happy for each other and support one another in everything we do.“ -Sydney 

Photos taken by: Anna Douglas
​Edited by: Sydney Maclennan

The love we all deserve
 
Each one of us explores life learning more about ourselves daily. Throughout this journey others will come and go and we will all experience love. Learning to recognize, to be grateful for, and to share our love with others is an essential part of life. Sydney and Roy illustrate what true love looks like. We all deserve to be with those who are our biggest fans, those who will support us in all that we do, and those who love us for the core things that make us who we are. Sydney and Roy thank you for teaching me to accept the love that I deserve. Your love for one another makes others feel loved just by being around you both. Thank you for reassuring each one of us that love is simple and kind.
 
Cheers to five years!
 
Annie