There is a truth in your eyes that tells me you will always protect me from the storm
The closer you hold me, the more freedom I feel
I can comprehend from your unspoken words, the feelings you hold in your heart
I am bestowed with a blessing
Not in words nor actions
Not in the premeditated journey written in the sand script of my mind
But with a kiss and a stare
You penetrate deep into the corners of the most protected layers of this fragile soul
Without knowing it, I have given you my life
With one mighty release, I am thrust into your arms
Reality is suspended; time has stop and eternity has set a course for the unknown
It is in this now we become a power higher than ourselves
This completeness can only become fulfillment when the greatest weapon of the angels is exploited; unconditional love
In the now, I breathe your air
I walk in your shadow
I bleed pain when you ache
In the now, your inner beauty overtakes this external facade
Your soft skin, radiant eyes and gentle lips are but a disguise to ward off the weak and invite the pure
I am now powerless but grabbing the spirit of a thousand horses
My heart stronger than steel; my body gentle as a warm autumn breeze
In this final release, I walk to you barefoot and exposed
The art of the letter and more importantly the love letter is a dying art. Jest, I may even go so far as an art well past its prime to the point of seizing its last breath. It was the anticipation of opening the envelope and seeing emotions pour out on paper as you held onto each word hoping to hear the true spirit of the person behind the pen. The love letter is a symbol of the romantic bond between two hearts who want to immortalize their feelings for all eternity.
As an ode to the pen and all those that have expressed their love through the written word, this is a thank you. Though some loves lasted and others faded with the wind, it is these words that will forever be remembered.
Let us now reflect on a time when we opened our hearts and expressed a level of emotion that committed us to the ultimate risk, the risk of love. Some shattered hearts, while others mended, but we sat on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the next letter and the words that would pour from the pen to our souls.
Enjoy excerpts from Love Letters from the Past:
“In the most simple and true way possible, I love you. Not the kind of love that requires it back, or the kind of love that comes with expectations or strings…Just the kind of love that sets my mind at ease whenever I am with you. The kind of love that washes my body with an alarmingly sweet heat at your touch. Not the kind of love that exists because of what I want or desire, but the kind that exist because of who you are and who we are together; because of who I am with you. I feel safety when I’m in your arms, like the entire army from hell couldn’t come close to me while I’m there. The softness and passion in your kisses seem to lift me from the earth, melting the rest of the world away and leaving only you and I to swirl around in the clouds of ecstacy. The heat of your body next to mine, the feel of your hands on my skin and in my hair. The way your eyes sparkle when you say something clever…These are the things that caused me to drop my guard with you even though my situation basically doomed us from the beginning. The way you seem to always be right, the way I don’t care when I am wrong. How you laugh when you really think something is funny and when you thinks it’s not. These are some of the things that ultimately lead me to love you. I don’t expect anything from you or out of “us”. I don’t need you to love me back. I don’t need any promises or favors…All I need is for you to know how I feel. Nothing more, nothing less. Simple isn’t it?!?”
- Summer
“Your letter was amazingly, awesomely, wonderfully great. I was smiling and laughing out loud the entire time I read it. The people around me thought I was crazy. Oh no! Now they know the truth about me. I got my Cosmopolitan magazine on my lap, some Juicy Fruit gum and the Walkman which I didn’t put on yet.
I wanted to write before we took off because I’m afraid I’ll get dizzy if I write while the plane is moving. I wanted to tell you how great it is for me to have finally found some true, real friends like you and Rock. I really appreciate all that you do for me. It can’t begin to tell you how much better you always manage to make me feel. But I’ll finish this later because we are starting to move. Thank you for always being here for me and for being such a wonderful and caring person.
I’m gonna miss you this weekend. A lot! Love,”
- Stacey
“Thank you for all the support you have given me during this difficult time. I know your thoughts will continue to be with me. Now you won’t have to hear that you spend too much time with me or get hung-up on . I love you. I never said I needed you to love me the same way. And all I ever wanted was for you to let me love you. To kiss your lips, light a candle, and make love to you again. I would do or give-up anything in the world. Thank you for the year. I couldn’t have asked for a more special one. You are a special person to me with a permanent place in my heart. I have all the faith and confidence in you. Whenever you get lonely keep that with you. Your precious princess…”
- Kimberly
“I know that long distance relationships scare you (Believe me, they scare me too!). But I haven’t and never did ask that of you. All I would like to try for is perhaps a “friendship”. I do care about you and that surprises me considering the fact that I just met you. Please, don’t be scared to talk to me or write. I really do think that you are a great guy. I care and I’m here if you want a friend. Always…”
- Joleen
“You are amazing. I mean it. I was so happy to have you in town and I’m sad your’re on to your next destination – but I know it will be wonderful. You are a true friend and I’m so happy you’re my friend”
- Jen
“I meant what I said this morning, that no one has made me feel special in a long time. You don’t know how much it means to me when your do the little things, like saying “Thanks for going out last night for dinner.” People can buy all the gifts in the world, but it doesn’t even come close to how I feel when I know you think about me. When I read your Christmas card, for instance it meant the world to me for you to say that something reminded you of me and to know that you like being near me. As much as your may hate to admit it, you are a nice person.
So I finally meet a guy who is fun, interesting, has a life and responsibilities, can understand that I have a life with my own responsibilities and wouldn’t you know it, it turns out to be my friends’s brother. The guy he told me not to get involved with because until he is serious, he treats girls like crap…”
- Amy
“As I sit here writing this, I am anticipating your departure. I am very happy that you will be able to spend time with your family and friends. Yet naturally, I am saddened that you will not be with me. I will miss you very much when you are gone. Remember that I am thinking of you and still loving you. I feel an array of different emotions right now. Where do I begin? Maybe one day you will be showing this letter to another love of your life or maybe it will be one you keep as private as your journal. I love you. That is where I wish to start.”
- Kimberly
“I needed to say something, please don’t take this letter as a bad thing. It is not a bad thing. Obviously I’ve been back and forth through all this and obviously I’ve put serious thought into it. It’s a very serious thing for me and I’m sorry to do this but I need time. I’m not asking for forever; just a couple of days. I need it and I’m sorry for that but I have to do this. I need to not see you for a couple of days. I need this.”
- Casey
“How can I say good-bye to a person who aggravates me to no end but also always makes me laugh? I wish you the best of luck throughout your life. I hope you will be happy and I know you will be successful. I already miss you and can’t wait until you come back. My love always…”
- Kim
“It truly is the little things you do that make me love you. The words you write, taping the show, dancing to no music but that in our heads and so much more. I want to be clear about my feelings. No interruptions.
I made that promise before I ever met you and I continued that promise before I really felt you. I want you and need you because I love you. I realize this isn’t necessarily forever, but for now…you were right when you said my name. I am yours because you make my eyes grow and everyone of your kisses still send chills down my spine and butterflies to my stomach. This is all why I want to share this with you. I want to know and I never want to regret having all these feelings and never having found out what it feels like to be with you. You mean the world to me. You have become my world. Whenever you decide you want me, I am here. And I want you so badly I can feel an ache I never knew existed. You are very important to me. I love you”
- Anonymous (I know but I have to leave a little mystery)
“Being that February is “Adopt a Bunny Month” I figured I should do my part…Granted it’s just a card with bunnies on it, but what can you do.
Actually, I was just thinking of you-which I seem to be doing quite often lately, and wanted to try and brighten your day like you brighten mine…(Seriously, I’m not always this cheesy”
- Anonymous (Signed a disclosure agreement not to share )
“There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all”
In My Life – The Beatles
As I drove through the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul passing the places that reminded me of a comfortable feeling a long time ago when I called this home, a sense of nostalgia grew inside of me. Some of the places have remained, while others are victims to the recession. Memories raced back as I began to recall all of the life altering events that took place during my residence and all the friends that came and went, but more importantly the ones that stayed with me.
I soon arrived with dinner for Sonni, Mom and baby. Three generations together in one room. Pat didn’t hesitate to remind me that this was my second family and I need not wait so long to return. I feel as though she slipped that in more than once during the evening and the hug goodbye. I don’t know if I will see them before I fly home Saturday to see family number one. To add an exclamation point to this final visit to the home of Sonni and Sam, my framed poem for Tino was resting on the wall in the entrance to his room. My words to Tino will always be in sight and watching over him at night.
Maybe it has been the time away or the relaxing sense of seclusion I have in Charleston, but the depth of feelings that have reared during this trip seem intensified more than the last. I could dive into an analysis factoring in the birth of a child, old friends who have taken new steps in their lives and some that have remained in their current bubble. One thing remains clear, the ability to slip back into that comfort zone remains.
Tino was born into a wonderful circle of family and friends and no matter what course of life he chooses, he will always be surrounded by support. A few days prior to the birth, I went to the cemetery to see Janet Hegg, Sonni’s Grandmother who passed away in 1997. I found myself talking to her and telling her about the newest member of the family. It was somewhat comforting given that I never met her. It may be the single moment I once again realized I was part of this family.
In a few days, I will see my family. What a thought: I have the chance to spend a month with two different families. How many have the opportunity to say that.
Seven weeks is summed up in a computer bag and a gym bag. Some would find that alarming, but not me. It doesn’t matter what is in the bag, because it is never about the material value I carry with me each day. It is about the meals, the conversations, the hugs, the gifts, the quiet moments during a sunset and the laughter from shared memories that fills my bag up with each visit.
Home not only is where the heart is but where people let you inside their hearts. Thank you to my first and second families for reminding me how important these relationships are in my life.
Writer / Blogger / Social Media and Talent Acquisition Consultant / Life Geek / Photographer
Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Global Social Media and Marketing Solutions including: organizational development, team building, change management, compensation structural development and implementation, social media and talent community development, growth and advancement, training, rewards and recognition, recruitment, attrition control, affirmative action administration, labor relations and M&A.
Trainer
So You Think You Can Interview - ProNet August, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Resources - ProNet June, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Resources - Lee Hecht Harrison July, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Tooling - Lenova Women in Leadership September, 2010 Your Life Bag - ProNet October, 2010, The Effects of Social Media in the Workplace - Carolinas Payroll Conference November 2012
Published Author
Sonni's Abyss (June 2008)
A Beautiful World (February 2011)
This Time Around (Scheduled for February 2013 Publication)
. I love you. I never said I needed you to love me the same way. And all I ever wanted was for you to let me love you. To kiss your lips, light a candle, and make love to you again. I would do or give-up anything in the world. Thank you for the year. I couldn’t have asked for a more special one. You are a special person to me with a permanent place in my heart. I have all the faith and confidence in you. Whenever you get lonely keep that with you. Your precious princess…”
