Mutual Devotion....

      It was the summer of 1987 and I was escaping the heat in our nice cool basement. This is where I knew that there was something greater out there; a feeling I have never had before. It was the first time I knew the feeling of true love. As I sat there in awe of him I couldn't help but play out what our entire life would be like together. He was stunningly handsome, had hair like a God, and a stomach you could wash clothes on. What attracted me first was his slight "bad boy" persona; the temptation of a forbidden fruit. As I grew to understand him he was actually tender, kind, and fueled by passion. He could easily sweep any woman off her feet.  

     He was a dancer; I could watch him dance every moment of my life. He danced with desire, purpose, and hunger. The love he had for dance was immeasurable; he danced because it was in his soul. How does someone go about professing their love to a man this spectacular??? Would I even be his type? What would he say? What if he didn't feel the same way about me? Would he even care to hear what I had to say? The eagerness of wanting to tell him was eating me inside; I had to find the best way to tell him. To tell him in a way he had no choice but to sit and listen to me; I know I would write it in a love letter! For those who don't know what that is, it's a handwritten, spilling of your guts, take a leap and go for it note. A lost art these days! 

      Checking the mail each day in anticipation of his reply was pure torture! Finally there it was, a letter addressed to me from him! I was sick to my stomach holding it in my hands. I ran to my bedroom, plopped down on the bed and starred at the envelope. I didn't know if I should open it, I wanted to but what if he laughed at me and told me I was crazy? I had to open it I had went this far already; my hands were shaking so much I almost ripped the letter in half trying to open the envelope. So my answer sat right in front of me.... the letter read: 

Dear Latrisha,

    Thank you greatly for the letter you sent to me. No one has ever said to me kinder words than you wrote. Unfortunately at this time in my life I cannot enter into a relationship with you. I am so sorry but I am already married. I feel so honored that I have made such an impact in your life. There are also many circumstances that would prevent us from having any type of relationship other than a friendship.....blah blah!

     Tears streamed down my face, I was crying so hysterically that I couldn't breathe. How could I experience my first love and my first heartbreak in the same summer? How could he not love me as much as I loved him? I was devoted to this man; I would have died for him! Anything he had asked of me I would have done. I would never have left him, never have chosen anyone over him. Never let my father speak ill of him! So what if he lived 1800 miles or so away from me, I was willing to relocate. What did it matter that he was 34 and I was only 8, I looked past the age difference! I know we had never met in "real" life but I knew him so well. Eventually I grew up and got over the pain but he will always have a piece of my heart.  

       So yes I have had unrequited love, with Patrick Swayze.

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