When I Left Love Behind

3 little words.

Say it

and I’m…

…indifferent.

One of the most precious 4 letter words in the English dialect is

scattered without care

like a stack of pamphlets picked up by an autumn wind.

Love used to be romantic.

It meant more than a pleasantry you’d spit out when you left a family dinner.

It meant you’d move a mountain for

a passing smile.

It meant you’d cross an ocean to hear

a familiar voice over the crashing waves.

It used to mean so much more.

I declare my undying love for you.

I am in love with you.

I love you.

Love you.

Love ya.

Luv u.

*Kiss noise and a wink*

When did we take the “I” out of it?

When did we remove ourselves from love, make it impersonal, severe the responsibility of loving?

It’s scary how that single letter word carries with it so much weight.

The weight of carrying all of love’s burdens,

blessings,

hardships,

crying-into-your-pillow-at-3ams.

When did “I” fall away from love?

When did it become “love you”?

If not when, then why?

Was it too much to bear?

Was the heartache too hard?

Was it worth it?

Of course!

It’s always worth it.

Love is always worth the time,

the energy,

the sleepless nights,

the pain.

Without love, life is hollow,

motionless,

meaningless.

Love is everything and everywhere.

It runs through arteries.

It pours into coffee mugs.

It flows down river rapids.

It flies above mountains.

Love finds its way behind closed doors

no matter how many locks may keep them barred.

Whether your heart is breaking or bursting,

you must keep loving.

Whether you're single or in a relationship,

you must keep loving.

Whether your Facebook official or still ironing out the kinks,

you must keep loving.

If not another person, then a place.

If not a place, then a thing.

If not a thing, then something more.

And if not something more, then yourself.

Because “I” is where love begins.

“I” is where it takes its first steps in the world.

“I” is where you slap on a postage stamp and send it to whoever,

whatever,

or wherever you decide to love.

We get to decide where our love goes.

So from now on, I am not going to leave my “love you” behind.

“I” am nothing without the “love you.”

I love you.