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Midnight Dew
Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 50
Forest Lake, MN

0 posted 2001-02-09 11:26 PM


When I was five, I fell in love.  His name was Matt, the son of my mom’s best friend.  He was a year older than me and had a twin brother named Andy.  For a while, I was wavering between the two, but I was finally won over by Matt’s blonde hair and baby blue eyes.  Then all that was left was to convince Matt that he loved me.  I did this the best I knew how, by playing Legos and War, by always chasing him when we played tag.  I even resorted to tackling him once and kissing his cheek.  We ended up moving away before I convinced Matt that he was in love with me.  That was okay though, I would find someone else, I was sure.

When I was seven, I fell in love.  This one was named Alejandro.  He was the son of my dad’s boss.  I actually liked his brother, Diego, better, but Diego was three years older than me, so I decided on Alejandro.  We had fun together, swimming in the pool at my apartment, playing on the playground.  But he wouldn’t even hold my hand.  I think he might have known that I really liked Diego.  That’s okay though.  We moved away before I grew too attached.

When I was ten, I fell in love.  He was my best friend; we did everything together, so I figured we could advance things just fine.  I asked him out and he said yes.  We did all the usual things of fifth-grade relationships, giggling while holding hands, hugging goodbye before getting on the bus ride home.  We spent all summer together, going to the beach, playing football and soccer.  Then I got bored and fell out of love.  We parted ways soon after.

When I was eleven, I fell in love.  Adam was what I believed was the perfect guy, cute, funny, fun.  He unfortunately didn’t feel the same way about me and let me know quite vocally.  I cried for a little bit, then tried to move on.  Adam was harder to fall out of love with, I had secretly liked him for a year, and went on doing so for another year or so.

When I was thirteen I fell in love.  Andy actually wanted me.  He was my first real kiss, while dancing at a youth night to some unremarkable song.  A crooning feminist was what my friend called her.  Andy was new and exciting, and I felt he had a personality to match his bright red hair.  We went out for a month or so.  Then Andy left me for a pretty, popular girl.  I despised Heather for taking him and vowed never to get hurt again.

When I was fourteen I fell in love.  I didn’t know if it was actually love though.  I was sick of being hurt by guys who didn’t want me, but Aaron did.  I didn’t really like him all that much, but I settled on him because he wanted me.  We had fun, Aaron and I, then parted ways.  He lived too far away.  I ran into him later that year.  I was excited when I learned of his presence, then gave him a big hug when I saw him.  He was distant, then later said I was just a fling, nothing special in his life.  I was devastated that even this somewhat lacking boy didn’t want me.  

Well, now I’m fifteen and I’m in love.  Jeff is my best friend, my comforter; he fills up the void in my soul caused by those other ‘loves.’  I don’t know what possessed me to think that I was in love with all those boys and more, but I know what possesses me to tell Jeff I love him every day.  A deep and abiding faith that he will not do anything to hurt me, that he loves me just as I do him.  My day brightens when I see him and I can never get enough of him.  I love you Jeff.

Happy Valentine’s Day.


~Caitlin Hull~

"The Holy Spirit makes up all our souls, and when it 'flexes' it makes us do great things."



© Copyright 2001 Caitlin Hull - All Rights Reserved
Xander
New Member
since 2001-02-01
Posts 3
Wausau, WI
1 posted 2001-02-10 12:14 PM


Hey Caitlin!  I'm offended...I'm not on that list!!  Oh well, I probably wouldn't want to be, with that track record!  Oh, you know I'm just kidding.  I loved this write, and thank you for commenting on mine.  I'm glad I told you I was coming onto this!  I felt this was touching, and a nice progression of love through the years.  Thank you for sharing!  Call me sometime soon!  
Pearls_Of_Wisdom
Member
since 2000-09-02
Posts 175

2 posted 2001-02-11 08:24 PM


Hi Midnight Dew,

This was very absorbing and original.  Deceptively simple, in fact, implying a lot more than was actually said.  A good idea, I think.  Coming out and lecturing to us about love would not have had the same impact.  Did you yourself really have crushes on this many people?  Maybe I'm just the obsessive type, because I stick with one for a few years or more at a stretch.  

The only thing I objected to in this story is the part where your character said her current love fills up the void in her soul left by the other "loves".  I know a lot of people feel that their boy/girlfriends complete them, or fill them up in some way, but I would hope that true love is two whole people coming together, not out of need but because they both have so much to give and share with each other.  Maybe that doesn't happen at 15, though.  I don't know about you, but I didn't know very much about who I really was at 15, and so I could not have had the type of mutually sharing, "enlightened" relationship I just described as the ideal.  Maybe some people do, though, for all I know.  Also, can't past relationships be taken as learning lessons instead of things that scar you for life?  These are just my suggestions ideas, andt only you can say what you believe about love and all that.

It was still a good read, so I hope I didn't give the wrong impression.  If you disagree with my criticisms, feel free to say so.  I would like to hear your thoughts on this, or your reasons for writing it the way you did.  

Hope you keep writing and sharing,  

Ashley

Maverick Wolf
Member
since 1999-11-13
Posts 94
Scandia, MN
3 posted 2001-02-12 11:05 PM


Well, I really dont' know what to say.  I like the style, I like the message.  Guess that means I like it.  Good write.  Jeff's really a fortunate guy to have someone like you.   I agree that 15 might be early, but I do believe that love can come at any time.

Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery, and today is a gift. That's why they call it the present.


Midnight Dew
Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 50
Forest Lake, MN
4 posted 2001-02-12 11:28 PM


Xander-
Sorry I haven't called yet hun, but I haven't had a chance.  Thank you for taking the time to comment on my piece and for the nice compliments.  Sorry you're not on the list.  I guess you were always one of my 'hidden loves'...   lol!  Talk to you later!

Pearls-
Yes, I actually had to use a little artistic license in this piece.  Some of these 'loves' overlapped, because I sometimes liked someone for years, while I liked others, etc.  I tried to simplify it while using diverse kinds of relationships.  So, yes, I did have crushes on all these people, but some overlapped, and most were longer than I state here.  As for the idea that someone shouldn't complete someone else, I totally understand.  I meant it more as if we were two parts of a whole.  Forgive me if that sounds too corny or generic, but that's how it feels, to both me and Jeff.  And finally, as for the 15-year old thought.  Um, I didn't think it was possible to fall in love at my age, but somehow I did.  There's nothing else this could be.  No matter what people think.  So, I used to agree with you, but Jeff makes me like myself more, appreciate my good points, and love him.  It's amazing to me.  So, sorry if I sound defensive, but I thought I would explain where I was coming from.  

Jason-
Well, thanks again for your positive comments!  It's always great to hear from you on my pieces!  

To all of you, thanks especially for the compliment on the simplicity, since that's my favorite form of writing, as those who have read my other stuff know.  So thanks for telling me my favorite form is good!  

~Caitlin Hull~

"The Holy Spirit makes up all our souls, and when it 'flexes' it makes us do great things."



Pearls_Of_Wisdom
Member
since 2000-09-02
Posts 175

5 posted 2001-02-13 12:10 PM


Midnight Dew,

No, you don't sound defensive. I specifically asked for your thoughts, and I expected you to justify your story the way it was. And I didn't mean to come across as judging your relationship as true love or not - I figured that the story was based on a real relationship - because no one but the two of you is qualified to judge. You're right, I'm sure it is possible at 15, even if it didn't happen that way for me. Hey, my parents met in Grade 10, so there's proof right there.

Anyway, thanks for responding. I didn't intend to preach, but I do always enjoy hearing why authors write a story a certain way or make certain decisions, and hopefully other authors enjoy answering (I know I do!). =)

Ashley

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