As I've been in quarantine, I have had a lot of time to be alone in my thoughts. This time can consist of negativity and insecurity, but this time can also consist of realizations and self-love. My friend tweeted yesterday, "Question of the evening: have you ever written a love letter? What was in it? Who was it to? Have you ever done that thing where you write letters to your future spouse? What's the cringiest thing you've said in either of the above? What's the sweetest?" She then asked me my specific thoughts on all of it and as I thought about all of the questions and my view on love, I was finally able to describe how I love others, like a whistling teapot.
I love loudly, boldly, and somewhat annoyingly.
I compare my ability to love and the characteristics of my loving being to a whistling teapot because like a whistling teapot, when I love... it screams as though I'm shouting to the world about the worth of who I'm loving. My love speaks boldly, and confidently. It stands by your side when you feel weak and low. It is somewhat annoying, because when I love, it won't simmer down until I feel that love in return. Until others see just how worthy of love they are, I will stand next to them: loudly, boldly, and somewhat annoyingly.
For years, I have been insecure of my abilities to love. It is so easy for me to love those around me. I fall in love with everything, the beauty of tulips in bloom, the bluebird watching me from outside, the perfectly seasoned avocado toast, the comfort that comes from a Ben Rector song. I say I fall in love with these simple, and beautiful things because I do. And if I can fall in love with the comfort those bring me, I'm sure you can imagine how easily I fall in love with people, my support system. I've never been able to meet someone and never think about them again. I strive to make lasting relationships with every person who crosses my path. Loving in this way, can be exhausting as my heart never stops pounding for those around me. However, it's this kind of love that brings me life and joy, similar to that cup of tea once it is finally brewed.
So, love others. Love loudly, boldly, and somewhat annoyingly because as humans, love is what brings us together and love is what keeps us alive. And every single individual is worthy of this force of love.
xoxo,
Mal :)