My True Love

Frank A. Fiorello; peace, love, and a loaded gun.

You are my primary concern, my purpose, and my sole preoccupation. It's not complex, it's simply affection. I yearn to receive and sometimes fear to give love, yet it's my genuine desire to love and hold onto you forever. Our union is predetermined, as written in the book of fate, indicating we are destined to be together.

The moment I saw her face in a photo, I felt an overwhelming sense of attraction, as her beauty deeply impacted my mind and soul. It would be some time before I would see her in person. When we eventually met, I was in a relationship, but it was evident that my heart, or at least my desires, belonged to her.

As our connection deepened, my desire became overt, extending beyond physical attraction to a profound, inexplicable bond that I couldn't recognize as love at the time. We shared a passionate, painful, and fiery relationship, with an uncontainable ardor that persisted despite obstacles. In the aftermath of our separation, I came to understand the experience as the embodiment of authentic love.

What accounts for our tendency to disregard the present and misjudge our circumstances? The repercussions of this oversight include escalating regret and loneliness, culminating in the most profound heartache conceivable. The realization that her future plans exclude me represents the ultimate defeat. While the passage of time slowly diminishes the agony, the sorrow never entirely fades.

With the advent of a new day, a world carefully constructed over many years disintegrates, and a loveless marriage dissolves, leading to a rise from the ashes with reflection. The love once known is remembered, and the realization emerges that future relationships will never measure up. Thus, a cycle of substance abuse and toxic relationships ensues, until the acknowledgment that true love will never be regained.

Then, I had the fortune of encountering the woman I had sought for so long and deeply regretted losing years prior. I was granted a second opportunity by God, a reunion I had fervently desired for an extended period and was now bestowed upon me. I was perplexed by the gift of a second chance, having only experienced severity and no leniency for any minor error I had ever committed.

Upon reflection, I am struck by the passage of four years and the fragility of time. My propensity for pride and fear of vulnerability nearly led me to forsake the love I had tirelessly sought. This deeply ingrained fear has cultivated an aura of trepidation, causing me to question my capacity for love and my deservingness of reciprocation. I grapple with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if I am worthy of the love and connection I so deeply desire.

Upon her return from vacation, I intend to embrace her warmly and hold her close, cherishing our reunion. No self-help manuals or online experts are needed to guide us toward a fulfilling life and love. Our success lies in consistently demonstrating affection and acknowledging our mutual worthiness of love and devotion. She is the centerpiece of my existence, and I am committed to holding her dear. As is evident to those around us, we are destined to be together, I eagerly anticipate embracing and loving my beloved Danielle.

Photo credit: Jon Kalamajka