A Love Letter to Romantic Notions and Dreams

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I am in love with the idea of love. I am infatuated with the concept of romance. I am fixated on the heart.

With a never-ending supply of sources, I continuously fuel this part of my world. From the music, I listen to and the playlists I curate I fixate on the ephemeral concept of my first love. The boundless collection of romance novels littering my room, Kindle, and many wish lists forms a momentary dream of what I want from a relationship. And the visual media I tend to consume is concentrated only in a romantic universe, where everything has a happy ending.

Surprisingly, I'm thoroughly realistic about love and romance in real life. Simply because of the relentless disappointments that have been thrown at me throughout life. From a lackluster dating life to uninspired interactions with the opposite gender, I've quite frankly chosen to step back from romance, personally. I still gobble up every little piece of the romance experience I can vicariously through music, media, and books. But I'll be damned if I continue looking for it.

Honestly, I came to this conclusion on my fanciful perceptions while creating a new playlist. It simply dawned on me how many different playlists I have that have to do with some element of love. And no matter how much I try not to, I somehow make a playlist that is influenced by love and romance.

If I'm being honest, I have tried to step away from this piece of myself, but it is such a deeply established part of my sense of self, that I end up hurting myself emotionally by trying to shut it off. I truly would not be me without the endless choices in downright corny romance novels, or music that makes you wish you had someone to dedicate it to. Even my favorite scripture in the Bible is about love, 1st Corinthians 13. Everyone should read that scripture, EVERYONE.

I'll probably continue adding on to my wedding board on Pinterest, my Kindle and library collection will probably always be romance novels, and songs that cover the entire spectrum of love will probably always be my first choice. It's nice to daydream about that gut-punch feeling that comes from love, whether it be puppy love or the devastation of heartbreak. I love it.

One of the more wonderful parts of my deep affection for love is the knowledge that romantic love is not the only form of love. A deep sense of respect and fondness for the world and those who live on this planet is a form of love. The love and affection we have for family and friends is also a type of love. And the love, affection, and respect we oftentimes
forget to give to ourselves are definitely deserving of more acknowledgment.

Sometimes I question if I'll ever experience a love like the ones I so clearly prefer to consume. The kind of love someone would write about in a novel, movie or song. I ponder on how I'd react to heartbreak or some devastating love story but also hope I never feel that kind of agony.  And other days I'm content with the love I feel.

So, I treasure love. I cherish the love and affection I receive from family and friends. I am enamored by the love I am capable I giving to myself.

Because the greatest thing the world offers us is love.


Now please enjoy this playlist about love, heartbreak, and everything in between.

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