Europe.

If I could put Europe in ONE word. I can't. 

Europe should have been the adventure of my lifetime. Instead I fought my way through it. Typical to the relationship, on the HIGH days we enjoyed the sites laughing and playing, and embracing the exciting fact we were in EUROPE. And on LOW days, we were quietly fighting in remote corners of famous sites when we should have been enjoying every moment. 

I can't describe the relationship. I lived it. I can't regret it. I am the woman I am today, stronger and wiser for it. He taught me to EMBRACE life and also to LISTEN to my heart and to be a STRONG woman no matter the cost. Maybe I wasn't strong enough at the time to stand up for myself or strong enough to walk away. To describe our relationship in ONE word. EMOTIONAL. 

Emotions are great, emotions are wonderful, emotions are to be embraced. God created emotions. Word of advice. Don't travel with a boyfriend and don't travel with emotions. Bad combo. Boyfriends are a gift, emotions are to be appreciated, but NOT together. Give me a minute to share.... We were TWO emotional people and putting that together creates fights that are PASSIONATE and HONEST, but not necessarily healthy. 

We could never see clearly enough to actually enjoy the relationship itself or enjoy Europe. I thank God for the role he played in my life that year, as hard as it was to part ways, we knew it was the right thing to do and will always hold a special place of the GOOD memories. Scars will forever rest on my heart but God continues to heal me everyday and sharing the STORY is God's way of bringing REDEMPTION. 

Sometimes girls develop unhealthy, emotional attachments and attach their hearts to the WRONG guy without realizing it. 

One more thing I'll say about emotions. Ladies we are responsible for CONTROLLING our EMOTIONS just like guys are held responsible for controlling their sexual urges. Emotions are for girls as pornography is for boys. Equally as difficult of a struggle to CONTROL. 

But love is SELF-CONTROLLED. And we are called to a life of love. 

Ladies ....accessorize yourselves in SELF-CONTROL.

London.

One word. Bustle.

Big Ben from the Ferris wheel.

Wax Museum.

 Paris.

Classy.

This guy got caught bathing in the Palace fountain.

 Berlin.

Somber.

Sachsenhuasen concentration camp. 

There was still soot on the city from the war. Still to this day.

leftover rubble of Berlin Wall

Salzburg.

Peaceful.

 Florence.

Magical.

Rome.

Ruins.

BEAUTY stands out AMONG the RUINS.

Women would bathe here for months at a time to nurture an OUTER beauty. 

You stop long enough and you can ALWAYS find BEAUTY.