Today is an important day. At this point, only I know how and why it’s an important day, but that makes today no less important.
As my five, seven and nine year old children watch a movie at the neighbor’s house, my 11 year old son and I are perched on my bed, commencing with his official introduction to true love (a plan only a mother would conceive).
Today, my son and I are watching The Notebook – a movie that stole my heart and captured my conception of true love. The main character, Noah Calhoun, describes his love in a letter to Allie:
“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what you’ve given me, and that’s what I hope to give you forever.”
Today my son will see a story of two people who experience far more than attraction to one another. He will witness them fall madly in love, with all of the passion and joy found in such bliss. He will also observe the pain, suffering, loss, disillusionment, tough choices, hard work, tenacity, determination and unparalled beauty of lifelong commitment that accompany true love. Today he will learn that love lasts a lifetime and involves great personal sacrifice.
“I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts. I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me, and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect, I’ve succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I have loved another with all my heart and soul.
And for me, that has always been enough.”
These words from the opening of The Notebook are etched in my heart. At the end of my journey, I want these to be my words. And at the end of my son’s journey, I want these to be his words. For it is only when we love with all of our heart and soul that we find how truly beautiful love is.
