Hello World,

Let me tell you a love story.

Love has this beautiful way of filling you up. When you are in love, there is energy, there is hope, there is joy and there is courage.

So, if she had offered me the whole world for a chance to love her again, I’d pick love.

The first few days of April, it felt like everything in Los Angeles was blossoming. But what blossomed for me was longing. I was counting the days until I’d see hernext. I knew she was traveling until April 5th, but what did that mean for us? When would we meet? Where would I see her? Would she be tired after her trip?

I had no answers.

These questions swirled through my mind the whole week, but on the 5th, these questions took a fever pitch. 

I bumped into her secretary that morning, and almost bared the ache in my heart. But would he understand this love? I am just one of the many stars in her orbit. How could he know that she was my center, my breath, my reason for being?

And so I stewed.

I knew I wouldn’t see her at breakfast that morning, because it seemed too early for her to get in. But still, my eyes scanned the crowd.

I was unsure I’d see her at lunch, because she would surely want to get some rest. And still, my heart hoped.

I stayed back after lunch to volunteer at the kitchen. I figured if I’d just stay put, then I’d definitely see her before the event at 7pm.

The hours ticked by, and the game of hide and seek continued.

All I needed was one glimpse of her smile. All I wanted was to soak up the radiance that her laughter brought to the room. But with each passing hour, the realization that maybe today wasn’t the day I’d see her started to sink in.

Perhaps, tomorrow. 

My heart, mind, ears, and eyes were starting to get tired. So even as I waited, I slipped into meditation.

And that’s when I heard her name. Bena. I’d repeated her name so many times today, that perhaps this was just an echo of that longing.

Bena.

I heard it again. My heart began to dance. My feet stirred even before my eyes could open, carrying me to the source of that sound. But I didn’t have to move an inch. Because all of a sudden, two strong, warm, bony hands cupped my shoulders, and I felt a soft kiss planted on my head. 

I didn’t want that moment to end. And so I stayed rooted. Eyes closed, skin tingling, love oozing from every pore.

All I wanted was to catch a glimpse of her. But she poured love as if she’d heard the anguish of my heart. I would wait for her another 100 years if it meant one more perfect moment like this.

I finally opened my eyes, and there she was. A towering perfection in white, with the most adoring smile, surrounded by a crowd. I was once more a star in her orbit.  

Forever yours,

Style Score: 57

I can’t believe that it’s been so long since I wrote to you.

I wonder when we stopped writing to each other. Was it around the time I came to stay with you? I remember I gave you such a hard time for those few months. I thought your ideas were archaic, your habits boring, and your faith blind. And now I find myself making the same choices I once ridiculed you for. Your habits, your ideas, and your faith have become mine.

I can see you smile.

I loved spending time with you. When I was young, you’d tell me stories about kings and dark forces, about love and peace. When I grew older we talked about sports, fashion, and academics. Talking to you was like talking to my best friend.

With you, there was no need to pretend, because you had seen me at my worst.
With you, I never felt small, even when I had made the same mistake again.
With you, I never worried about being misunderstood, because you made space for all the versions of me.

My most favorite moment with you was a phone call. I had just had my heart broken, and somehow you called me exactly as I was sitting on the steps crying my heart out, questioning everything around me. As you tried to make sense of what I was saying between sobs, you told me not to worry because the Universe had my back, that ‘it’ already knew what and who I needed in my journey.

When everyone thought my spirituality was a passing fad, you comforted me using my language. I never told you how grateful I was for being by my side. You’ve accepted parts of me that I am not sure even I have accepted.

It’s easy to see now how many moments passed by me where I could have loved you more, where I could have said thank you, where I could have made more memories with you or made you more comfortable. But I am realizing that we get so lost in the imperfections in life, that it eclipses the parts of our lives that are actually worth treasuring.

You were my treasure. My best friend.

I hope you know how much I love you.

I have known peace in silence,
A peace where words are meaningless.
I have known peace in speech,
A peace where words bring wonder.

I have known peace in joy,
A peace which touches all it sees.
I have known peace in sorrow,
A peace that is deep and graceful.

I have known peace in action,
A peace when actions are spontaneous.
I have known peace in inaction,
A peace that bows down to the big picture.

I have known peace in passion,
A peace that is ready to burn in service.
I have known peace in dispassion,
A peace that is able to let go.

I have known peace in all the opposites,
Love, hatred, wisdom, and ignorance.
I have known the peace in myself,
And that’s the peace I wish for you.

Hello Love,

How are you doing today?

I know it probably feels like you’d rather be doing anything else right now besides reading this letter. I understand. Know that I love you anyway.

Do you remember, when you were eight years old and believed you were magic? You knew that we had a superpower, we just hadn’t figured it out yet. Well, I am here to tell you that that little girl was right. Because you are magic.

And do you know what your superpower is? Love.

Now when I say love, I don’t mean it in a romantic sense, or the kind of love we have for the people that are close to us.

I mean a love that is like the sun, whose warmth shines on everything it touches. Maybe they shield from your light, maybe they bask in your glow. But you keep shining.

I mean a love that is like the rain, sometimes fiercely protective, sometimes a gentle touch. Maybe they stand under an umbrella, maybe they jump up and dance. But you keep pouring.

I mean a love that is like the wind, offering a hug when it’s most needed, blowing away the whispers of fear. Maybe they hold on to their ideas of stability, maybe they dust off the kites. But you keep flowing.

You will meet so many people who will cause you to second guess the way you express yourself. Your care will be perceived as insistence. Your words will meet sarcasm. You will wish to be different, maybe even indifferent. But no matter what anyone says or doesn’t say, don’t hide away. Because your love is the stuff of legends. It comes from a source that is as old as time itself.

And if you find yourself tired, and ready to give up, just know that you are loved. You don’t need anything. After all, you are love.

Love,
Your future self

P.S: When you meet M, say yes.