Initiative#38: Have you ever fallen in love?
Have you ever fallen deeply, deeply in love with someone and had your heart broken?
The 7th Stranger of the 7th place I visited today I asked this question. Usually, before I embark on such missions, I give myself a number. I feel comfort in their unwavering solid presence and 7 is a particularly special number for me.
I sat down by the lobby of my gym, counting every person who passed me. She was wearing a gorgeous black and white print dress, a halter that I’ve always wished I could fit into. That seemed like a really good sign and lent itself to my growing confidence.
We were by the water fountain when I broke the ice by asking her if I could ask her a question. After stuttering and saying it too quickly and too softly my first 3 attempts, she got the gist of it.
And wow, the story she then began to weave.. I hold still very closely to my heart. I was amazed how rapidly she opened up to me; I did not need to justify my question or give background to why I was asking such abnormalities.
And now for you my dear reader, have you ever fallen in love at first sight? Have you ever given more to the relationship than you’ve been given? Or vice versa?
I think the fear of intimacy is universal; I’m one of several thousands who are hesitant to give their heart away. And this is something..sooner or later I’ll have to face up to.
” Madly, madly, madly, tell me that you love me”.
Comments
I have definitely fallen in love at first sight….and it was a waste of five years of my life. At least I was pretty young then…and I did learn quite a few important lessons.
This is the first time am in love after pretty much 22 years of being single (minus 3 months). But I didn’t choose to “fall in love”; I only chose to give, and give more, to him who I felt is special to me. I realised that when I demanded, secretly, for something in return, that was when I suffered. That was what he eventually realised and appreciated – sincerity, though that was not until three months later.
I had my doubts – maybe I will get crushed. But life is fair – you never lose everything. I might have lost your heart, but I gained wisdom. Would I do it all over again? Why not… Most relationships are a journey and I believe there will always be only one which leads to a happy ending.
Oops! Few typos, but you get what I mean
I think you’re one of the few lucky ones. I wish I could bring myself to fall in love at first sight I’m far too suspecting of people. What were the lessons you learnt?
Xuan…I love you. The End.
Twice. Once was illadvised and the second time was just pure trickery on his part. It’s so hard to trust when even those who convince you they’re trustworthy turn out to be Super Rats (ala Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Truth be told, sitting here, months and years after the tears and sobs and depression, I wouldn’t re-do any of it. It got me here and made me stronger. Perhaps that’s my eternal optimism though.
I think perhaps passion should be something that builds not something that sparks. Sparks burn out.
Great post!
xoMeg
Oh Meg. I wish I could go to where you are and give you a huge huge hug!!! And you put it so eloquently, passion vs sparks. Wow. Great great metaphor.
Thank you for coming by !!!
xo Steph
Having your heart broken is about the most painful thing I’ve experienced. I think it’s much worse too during adolescence because you have so much turmoil to deal with in general. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become easier to deal with emotions. I’m not sure if that’s a natural process of maturity, or just that you tend to get more emotionally closed off as you turn into an ‘adult’. But an important lesson I’ve learned is that it’s never love that hurts you… it’s neediness and insecurity. It’s looking for your self worth in other people and needing other people to play by your rules. Real love is given without conditions and it doesn’t matter if it comes back because the ability to love from a place of completeness is your greatest power.
Oh..you write this so beautifully. You describe me; I used to be that girl who’d measure her attractiveness by the number of dates she got in a month but wow how childish was I then. The byproducts of youth and stupidity.gah. And you thought it could/would be simple. Thank you for posting this; I get to reread this again and again and again!!!
Trouble keeping track of dates hu? Personally I never had that problem
I’m glad my comment struck a chord with you. I hesitated posting it… felt a bit vulnerable 
The subscription confirmation thing went into my spam, so I missed all the follow ups. Just catching up now… Cheers.
Awww. you are too awesome friend. Thank you!
[...] talked to 110 strangers so far,and this is my favorite stranger story since I’ve started this [...]