Love Me True

Tonight I am thankful for reminders that true love still exists.  Lindsey and Ray, two of my favorite people in the world, got married last night, and watching them throughout the weekend served to remind me that true love is not a myth; though rare in this day and age, it's still out there.  Lindsey and I have been very close friends for about six years now, and, from the minute I met Ray I knew he was the one for her.  Lindsey is one of the most thoughtful, genuine, caring people I've ever met, and Ray is the perfect complement to her.  Seeing them together reminds occasionally bitter self-deprecating cynics like me that real, honest love is not always a farce created by Hollywood and Hallmark; it actually exists, and it's written all over their faces.  Every minute of the weekend was so "them," and it all came together so beautifully.  I am so thankful to have these amazing people in my life individually as my friends, and I am even more blessed to have loving, caring couples like them around to serve as examples and remind me what I'm holding out for.  I love you both sooooooo much, and I am so honored to have been a part of such a beautiful, wonderful celebration of your love for each other.

PS:  I promise to share pictures of the wedding in the coming weeks when the photographer gets them all edited and posted.  I can't even begin to do justice to this event in mere words, so I will hold out and let the pictures speak for themselves. 

I Want to Believe

Lately, I have been dabbling in a little writing of poetry.  It comes upon me in the most unexpected of moments, this desire to dash off a bit of verse, but I've decided to give in to it and see where it takes me.  I hope you'll occasionally indulge me sharing a piece with you.

movies, books, the perfect song--real life inspiration
so they say
not sure if i believe
anymore
am i too old for fairy tales?
my head says yes
but my heart wishes on a star
and hopes the answer's no
reality bites, anyway

unrequited, unreturned, one-sided, "we're better off as friends"--

you can't force something that's not there

no matter whose responsible, it feels the same

standing alone during a slow song at a sixth grade dance

not really bitter, not even sad

resigned. accepting.

perhaps that is worse

am i accepting defeat?  raising the white flag?

not yet

hopeless romantics never give up

it's against our very nature

a fatal flaw?  perhaps.

nightly prayers suffice for now

books, movies, and wedding invitations keep the dream alive

the missing piece is around somewhere

it's just been misplaced

i could find it--hope i will find it--

any day now

Tale Untold

The following tale is fiction, and any names, characteristics or actions of the characters that resemble real people and events are purely coincidental.  We have struggled with whether to share this story, but, for some inexplicable reason, feel led to do so.
--Management

Once upon a time, there was a young woman.
For the sake of the story, we'll call this woman... Autumn.
Autumn spent her days fulfilling mindless tasks at work and broadening her mind in the world of higher education.  She had supportive friends and family and a plethora of hobbies to fill her time; she laughed often and had a vivid imagination.
Autumn loved her life, but something, or perhaps someone, was missing. 
Late one night, Autumn grew tired of being patient and decided to take matters into her own hands.
Autumn probably should have left well enough alone.
It had come to Autumn's attention that there were people who made their livings attempting to bring romantic harmony into the lives of frustrated singles (for a small fee, of course).  These people asked a plethora of questions and delivered possible suitors right to your inbox.  Autumn thought it all sounded too good to be true, but was intrigued, nonetheless.
"I think I shall try it," Autumn thought.  "It will be a kind of experiment.  It is possible I will wholly regret it or feel like an utter fool, but how bad could it be?"
So, Autumn logged on and set to work answering question after question.  She selected her favorite photo and completed her profile.  Autumn didn't want to admit it, but, in the back of her mind, she was the tiniest bit hopeful.  On the other hand, however, she feared what people would think of her if they knew what she was doing.
However, she thought maybe it really was "okay to look?"
Autumn probably should have left well enough alone.
For the first few days, Autumn was a bit maniacal, checking her inbox embarrassingly frequently.  However, the initial luster soon wore off and Autumn began to suspect herself hoodwinked.
Duped.  Ripped off.  Taken for a ride.
You see, Autumn was quickly underwhelmed with the "harmonious" findings that were presented to her.  She believed that perhaps this method of matchmaking might work for others, but, for her, it simply wasn't right.  Autumn just thought the whole thing would go differently.  From her standpoint, this equation just wasn't adding up.  The whole thing just seemed unnatural. 
Autumn thought it might have been best to leave well enough alone.
Autumn began to check back more infrequently, but she vowed to honor her 3-month contract and complete her "experiment."  She told only one person what she was doing, however, because her humiliation was growing stronger by the day.
That brings us to today, when Autumn has completed her 3-month experiment and has ended her contract.  She feels that there is probably something she has learned from this experience, but right now she's not sure what it is.
Oh, wait...  yes she does.  Autumn should have left well enough alone.
What was Autumn thinking with this ridiculous experiment of hers?
She is, admittedly, embarrassed, but felt (for some reason) led to share her story.  Perhaps it will cuase laughter or make your own plight seem bearable...
Autumn simply asks that, the next time you see her, you refrain from pointing, laughing, making jokes at her expense, or cocking your head to the side in pity. 
Oh, wait... that's right.
You don't actually know her.  She's fictional.
Yeah...
So...
The End.