29. Modern Love

Photograph by Andrew Jalali

I'm a bit obsessed with the New York Times Sunday Style feature called "Modern Love." It's fascinating to read other people's accounts of their love lives--dating, marriage, commitment, family relationships, passion, lust, loss. I'll make a cup of tea and cozy up on the couch with the Times, losing myself in the newest tale of heart pounding drama. Maybe it's the romantic in me. Or maybe it's the social part of me. But I love to read this stuff. I can't help but feel that each one of these stories is a universal story in some way. Modern Love. What is it? How does it work? Who knows. It's a mystery. But the story below, in particular, struck me as being really touching. I've talked a lot recently about letting go of preconceived notions...throwing out the expectations we have for ourselves and others and just letting it be. But how easy is that to do? Easy maybe if the person you love forgets to pick up their towel off the floor. Not so easy if the person you've been married to for decades tells you that he never loved you and wants to leave you and the kids...read this...you may cry. 

Those Aren't Fighting Words, Dear by Laura A. Munson