The phrase "Game Recognize Game" isn't usually applicable to romance.
An adage used among pro-athletes and rappers to confer mutual respect for the other's talents, abilities or accomplishments, it can also be used to determine a potential partner's worth to you.
The power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce is a good example.
Jay-Z spent most of his life before Beyonce embodying "the hustle": waking up every day in the face of adversity to go out and make that paper, dealing with fake people and leeches who want to celebrate your accomplishments but not hang around when you fail.
The message of songs like "99 Problems" and "Can I Live" hold true not because we have 99 problems, but because we have too much to do to be distracted right now.
Beyonce's career has been a lesson on the power of a strong, independent women. Songs like "Irreplaceable" and "Upgrade U" speak to modern feminists everywhere that lesser options will fall away if you hold out for the right person. "Thought that I would fail without you/ But I'm on top/ Thought it would be over by now/ But it won't stop," Beyonce sings on Destiny's Child smash "I'm A Survivor."
In 2008, Beyonce Knowles married Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, bringing together two of the most dynamic and influential people in contemporary pop culture at the peaks of their careers.
Personally, I've been in and out of love more times than the entire Kardashian family, but its been a while. When I signed up to write this column, I actually forgot Feb. 14 was Valentine's Day.
Whether that makes me qualified to talk about love is your decision, but I've definitely learned a few things, the most important being that not everyone is worth your time.
Some people might like one side of you and not the rest, or they only call late at night when everyone else that they would rather talk to has gone asleep; they'll go out, but not want to stay home some nights when you're broke.
People will make whatever decisions they want to, but don't ever forget that they're still a real person, with their own feelings and their own set of ideals. The moment you try to bend someone to your will you will lose them.
So get to work. Forget that girl that never texts you or that guy flirting his way through the roll call in your class. Work on yourself and people will recognize your progress.
Don't forget that you busted ass to go to college and you can still name the people who never made it, or that love never paid your bills or saved your grade and that you've been single for a hell of a lot longer than you've ever been with someone.
You've accomplished so much, and you shouldn't settle for anything less than perfection.
Someday you will find the Beyonce to your Jay-Z, and the results will have you feeling so "Crazy In Love."
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