Dear Future Chapter,

If someone asked me to describe my dating life in one word, I'd probably laugh before answering.

"Unexpected."

I'm 26. I love getting dressed up, taking way too many sunset photos, singing in the shower, and pretending I don't rewatch my favorite romantic movies every month. People often assume that because I smile a lot and post pretty pictures, dating must be easy for me.

It isn't.

Beauty might catch someone's attention for a few seconds, but it doesn't guarantee they'll understand your heart.

I've met charming people, funny people, ambitious people... and people who knew exactly what to say. But somewhere between the "good morning" texts fading away and promises turning into excuses, I realized something important:
Being chosen isn't the same as being cherished.

That lesson changed everything.