You make me love you

I feel the winds are changing and I am for once embracing them.

I have always been afraid of getting too close to someone or letting someone get close to me. Each time the heart gets broken another brick goes up around the heart I try so hard to protect, but that I give completely. How is it possible to allow someone to come in and knock it all down. Hoping and praying that it isn't another let down. Wanting to see if this will be the person to take all the worries away and be my everything.

In past relationships, the fire burned hot at the beginning but then died very quickly. I've tried to use different strategies with relationships; playing hard to get, not playing hard to get, being girlie, being confident, being meek, and just trying to be me....
I've noticed all I have to be is myself... what a nice feeling that is. I don't have to pretend to like things that I really don't... don't have to save face to keep from getting into an argument. I can actually say something, and he listens... He actually wants to know what MY interests are and appreciates them! He takes time to make sure that I am happy! He appreciates honesty and lives by it!
Can couples overcome age? Location? Hardships? What is the key? Is it that no matter what, you look into each others eyes and realize how you fell in love in the first place??
Is it normal to always laugh with that person?? That they make you happy just doing nothing except looking at you?
God, I hope this is not a dream..... because you make it easy to fall in love with you!