Today I was sitting in the ocean. Back against a boulder, booty in the water, toes sticking out. I noticed how nice my pedicure looked, and I thought of you.
Today I was sitting at an airport bar. Tv on, eyes getting tired, wishing for excitement, and I thought of you.
Today I was hiking through the mountains. Sun in the sky, mud on my shoes, but it was quiet, and I thought of you.
Today I rode in a Jeep. Tension high, thrill high, heart racing, and I thought of you.
Today I danced until 2am. Feelings of being invincible, friends with smiles and blurry eyes, a remarkably heavy heart, and I thought of you.
Today I sat at home. The smell of chicken patties and orange Gatorade in the air, charisma, yet a lack of motivation, and I thought of you.
Today I went to the game. Sitting in the stands, loyalty of the sport, simplicity of the rules, and I thought of you.
Today I watched tv. Not paying attention, not listening, just living in the moment, and I thought of you.
Today I heard a Taylor Swift song. Driving in my car, windows rolled down, music turned up, and I thought of you.
Today I felt grateful for my adventurous life, the places I’ve been, the goals I’ve accomplished, and I thought of you.
Today I passed a pick up truck. Country music blaring, mud on its tires, passenger’s feet out the window, and I thought of you.
Today I saw that camouflage. Dedication, pride, and a countdown to retirement, and I thought of you.
Today I saw a beagle. It gleamed of youthfulness, yet hope, yet fear of the longing unknown. And I thought of you.
Today I saw a social media post that made me realize that it was all an act. And for far too long. I thought of you.
Today I spoke your name. And in far too long. I thought of you.
Our past relationships produced growth in our spirits and our hearts. They prepared us for future hardships. They opened us to love and worth. They traumatized us. They made us laugh and roll our eyes. They hurt our hearts or made them beat wildly. They’re never thought of again or they live in our souls forever.
Whatever the case, each and every interaction we have had with a romantic or potentially romantic partner is an opportunity to learn about ourselves.
Take a minute to think of someone in your romantic past. Not your deepest of loves. Not your heaviest of traumas. Just someone. Someone in between. What are three small things you learned about yourself and about relationships through your time with them.
Here is a personal example…
Today I was sitting at an airport bar. Tv on, eyes getting tired, wishing for excitement, and I thought of you.
Through you, I learned…
- That I am not alone in my feelings. Others understand, and it’s ok to not fit inside a box.
- Spontaneity boosts my energy even after a 24 hr travel day on no sleep, and I need someone in my life to remind me of and support that idea.
- A shared passion can amplify a relationship from insignificant strangers to bold connections within a matter of moments.
…
Today you reached out to stroke my hair, and I looked at you with the woven gratitude of all of those who came before to prepare me for this moment.
Now it’s your turn. Take a moment. Savor. Learn and grow. Turn it into gratitude, and accept wisdom from the bold and beautiful, Ariana Grande…
Thank you, next.
Fireflies And Jars 