Hi Scamp. As always I enjoyed your writing. You have a gift of introspection I don't have, or have lost over the years. I first met Nellie when I was just 10 years old. She was the oldest daughter of another Dutch immigrant to Canada. She was a bit shy, and truthfully, I liked her younger sister. Our families lived some distance apart, so we did not get together often. Fast forward to age 16, Nellie and I both attended the wedding of a young woman from a family that was friends with both our parents. I think for the first time I thought of her as not just another girl. I guess she noticed me as well. A couple of months later, after a visit of her parents with mine, she initiated our relationship by sending me a warm letter, the beginning of a long exchange of love letters, giving her a "going steady" ring, and more frequent and more fervent visits after I got my driver's license. We got engaged when we were 22 and married at 24 in 1966. We are now almost 82, together for about 65 years, counting from when we were 16. Were we romantic? Sometimes. In love? Most of the time, but an ever-changing bond over the years... like a fire... from kindling, to leaping flames, to quiet burning and now, warm coals. Your journey will be uniquely yours. but I hope it brings you as much happiness as ours has brought us.
Thank you for reading, John, and for leaving such a special comment about your special love story. I didn’t know you met when you were just 10! That’s really something.
I decided to read this during a coffee break at work. Now, teary-eyed, I want to lock everyone out of the break room so I can lie on the ground, reflect some more on your words, and linger in the feelings.
oh this has happened to me too many times to count, with other people's writing. It's so touching to be on the other side of it. Thank you for reading and for lingering <3
i remember hearing that katie/mitski song and feeling punched in the face by something i needed to look at, but running away from it instead. anyway, it's come to visit me in this piece, but nicely, knocking on my door with a bag of takeout. you're so good. love you
“Maybe the mythology of romantic love we’re fed from an early age inclines us to expose our truths more readily than we do with our platonic or familial relationships.” Oh, i loved this essay. So smart, so vulnerable, so real. Thank you for sharing.
"He was at once the stranger in beat-up shoes and my fourth-grade carpool buddy and none of my exes and all the people in the world. He was the best conversation I ever had."
this is the sweetest thing i have ever read, and as always, i just love your writing so much
Hi Scamp. As always I enjoyed your writing. You have a gift of introspection I don't have, or have lost over the years. I first met Nellie when I was just 10 years old. She was the oldest daughter of another Dutch immigrant to Canada. She was a bit shy, and truthfully, I liked her younger sister. Our families lived some distance apart, so we did not get together often. Fast forward to age 16, Nellie and I both attended the wedding of a young woman from a family that was friends with both our parents. I think for the first time I thought of her as not just another girl. I guess she noticed me as well. A couple of months later, after a visit of her parents with mine, she initiated our relationship by sending me a warm letter, the beginning of a long exchange of love letters, giving her a "going steady" ring, and more frequent and more fervent visits after I got my driver's license. We got engaged when we were 22 and married at 24 in 1966. We are now almost 82, together for about 65 years, counting from when we were 16. Were we romantic? Sometimes. In love? Most of the time, but an ever-changing bond over the years... like a fire... from kindling, to leaping flames, to quiet burning and now, warm coals. Your journey will be uniquely yours. but I hope it brings you as much happiness as ours has brought us.
Thank you for reading, John, and for leaving such a special comment about your special love story. I didn’t know you met when you were just 10! That’s really something.
I decided to read this during a coffee break at work. Now, teary-eyed, I want to lock everyone out of the break room so I can lie on the ground, reflect some more on your words, and linger in the feelings.
oh this has happened to me too many times to count, with other people's writing. It's so touching to be on the other side of it. Thank you for reading and for lingering <3
i remember hearing that katie/mitski song and feeling punched in the face by something i needed to look at, but running away from it instead. anyway, it's come to visit me in this piece, but nicely, knocking on my door with a bag of takeout. you're so good. love you
it’s a big song with big feelings!! love you more🥡
100%
Loved reading this <3
Thank you <3
You rock!
ily Bates!! <3 thank you for reading and visiting
speechless. this is beautiful 🩷
thank you ❤️🫂
“Maybe the mythology of romantic love we’re fed from an early age inclines us to expose our truths more readily than we do with our platonic or familial relationships.” Oh, i loved this essay. So smart, so vulnerable, so real. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Celine ❤️
"He was at once the stranger in beat-up shoes and my fourth-grade carpool buddy and none of my exes and all the people in the world. He was the best conversation I ever had."
this is the sweetest thing i have ever read, and as always, i just love your writing so much
love you tatum thank you <3 :')
“I’m sorry if I’m not who you thought I was when we first met,” I often say to Jacob. To which Jacob replies: “But I’ve always known who you are.”
This killed me!!!!!
literally in tears at 7am i love you
🫂❤️
this article came at the perfect time and during my obsession with this song. love it!!