Deeper?

My whole life I have searched to fill the empty crevasses of my heart with love. I practically begged to be loved and appreciated. I tried to be the perfect child, student, girlfriend...everything. I would practically prostrate myself for validation from others and retreat into a corner of self-pity when it wasn't given. But, somehow, in the span of a few short months, something much more powerful than my inane "need" for acceptance and reassurance has filtered into and taken over my psyche: true love. As cliche and sugary as it sounds-- true, deep, committed love (however young) has opened my eyes. Where I once whined about the lack of a text message saying "You mean the world to me" or "How's work babe", I have suddenly realized that the way he picks up my car while Im at work and takes it to get an oil change and brings it back with a full tank means more than any high-school-esque gesture. How when he leans over to give me a kiss with a smile in his eyes makes me feel more beautiful than all the people who have ever stopped me and asked me if I modeled. In this transcendance I find a peace that I have been looking for since I realized I would grow into my adulthood without my father.
Not that my father was dead--which might have been easier to cope with--but he had abandoned me. So from the moment I was conscious of that until now, I sought to fill his void with someone, anyone. I found jerks, users, cheaters and liars (ironically, all who reminded me a little of my father)that I "needed" to make me feel good about myself (ultimately to no avail).... until I found HIM. While it took us years to finally end up together, he is my knight-in-shining-armor-wrapped-in-a-bow. I coulndt ask for anyone better (since said person could not exist). And what is even better is that he is not a "space filler". He is not simply my crutch to help me get over my sense of abandonment--he is part of my soul. I dont need him to give me validation, I need him because I love him.