Nothing But the Best

I used to take

whatever was given—

half-answers,

half-effort,

half-love dressed up

like it was enough.

I told myself

it was patience,

that waiting meant loyalty,

that settling

was just another word

for understanding.

But I learned—

the hard way—

that you can give your whole heart

to something

that never planned

to meet you halfway.

And it will still take.

So I stopped.

Stopped explaining

why I deserve more.

Stopped shrinking

to make room

for people

who never made space for me.

Because love

isn’t supposed to feel

like convincing.

It isn’t supposed to feel

like earning.

It shows up.

It stays.

It chooses you

without hesitation.

And now—

I don’t want almost.

I don’t want someday.

I don’t want potential

that never turns real.

I want something steady.

Something sure.

Something that doesn’t

leave me guessing

where I stand.

Nothing but the best—

not because I’m perfect,

but because I finally learned

I don’t have to be

to deserve it.