Maintaining a Special Relationship

I have been able to spend a lot of time with my girlfriend recently, which I have greatly enjoyed.  As is common for a developing romantic relationship, that time feels very special, as we grow closer and get to know each other better.  Part of me doesn't ever want to get “used to” feeling that way around her.  But I also would like to do that as much as possible for the rest of my life.  So from a certain perspective, while spending time with her can still feel good, it won't always feel so "special."  Special is defined as "better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual."  Therefore, if something is usual, it technically can't be special.  And I definitely know what I would like to see become “usual” in my life.

Now that doesn't necessarily mean that people eventually have to take each other for granted, but they will grow more accustomed to one another's company, and that is not a bad thing.  But since that phase won't last forever, it should be enjoyed while it lasts.  There is a temptation to always be looking forward to what is next, and where things are going.  That is true in many other aspects of life as well, and there is a place for that, but not at the expense of ignoring the present, and appreciating where God has us now.

I probably missed a whole lot of things in high school and college, because I was too busy preparing for the future, to notice what was happening in the present.  Admittedly, that future I was preparing for then, has now become the present, and I am currently reaping the benefits of all that preparation.  So looking towards the future has its place as well, and will help ensure a lasting relationship, just not at the expense of the present.

As relationships develop, things change.  The initial mysterious exploration to discover more about one another can be very exciting, but doesn't last forever.  Trust on the other hand, is (hopefully) constantly growing during that time, and is the lasting result of that exploration process.  And that change continues to happen as both parties in the relationship grow, so that force of constant change acts against the factor of getting “used to” being with someone, to possibly maintain a level of that “specialness” indefinitely.  And that is only one of the many reasons why growth is such an important part of both life and relationships.