In this journey called life,
I have explored places
and met an array of people.
Some I have already parted ways from;
Some I have kept and are still in my life.
But each one taught me one thing.
In its different shapes and forms,
They all have taught me love.
So, I did collect a piece from each,
And then decided to take a look
At each trinket that filled the shelf
Of all the souvenirs love brought to my life.
love was that last-minute surprise at my house with a gift and a letter just a few hours before I left home
love is the McDonald's drive-thru or late-night eats after work, hot springs, parks, shrines, and random home visits on days off; the homemade doria and drugstore medicines; all the girls' talks and life advice; and anything else that was genuine in between
love is all the errands, hangouts, travels, drinks, presents, omiyage, life stories, and advice shared with me, and anything else that was ever genuine in between
love was the blankets she covered me with while I was asleep in the shared apartment—the shared struggles, innocent joy, first times, tears, laughter, and everything else that was ever genuine in between
love was perhaps the pimple patch picked up at a drugstore after work and the blanket handed to me so I could sleep during the drive to work—love was perhaps those arms that held me while I was sobbing
love was all the handwritten letters—both sent and unsent ones, the sketches, and poems, the thoughtful presents, long drives and trips, homemade dishes, shared songs, genuine tears, the arms I ever melted into—each coming solely from a place of pure intentions—and everything else that was ever genuine
love is forgiving
love is all the life and girl talk in the car on the way, a call from a special someone shared with me, the beach-viewing, jewelry window-shopping, chit-chats at the coffee shop, a purchased purse and hand cream, and her calling me her 'musume' (daughter)
love is the long ride to Ryujin Bridge, a chestnut cake at that coffee shop, a view of people bungee jumping, the autumn breeze and leaves, hot drinks from a vending machine, and the usual silly talks along with deep conversations
love is all the Strawberry Prince, a junior high school crush, school gossip, and those girl talks, a kushikatsu, ‘purikura’ (photobooth), and everything else in between, both that day and in each of our classes
love is the day filled with cute dolphins, sea otters, and penguins, udon for lunch, ice cream at sunset, pizza for dinner, the plushies and toy piano at the attic, all shared with such a lovely, ideal family I know and their daughter I'm so fond of—everything wrapped up by the tears that only flowed when I was settled and alone in my room, reading their text thanking me for that day
love is that present, one of the best I've ever received—a calligraphy she made herself that now serves as my life motto: 'Onore ni katsu' (conquer yourself)
love is that karaage she left on my bike for me to have for dinner on my last Saturday at work, the heartfelt talk outside that day, and the unagi restaurant she took me to, along with the kids, a few weeks before my flight
love is the YouTube video projected in her room where we shared deep, engaging questions, all the times spent at her house or anywhere else, offering support when I needed it, or simply spending quality time, and all the years and phases, from nene days to now, kasalan-anakan days
love was all the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners shared at our homes, along with the never-ending inside jokes, banter, shared brain cells, both random and deep talks, and everything else in between
love was every bus or public seat she chose to keep me safe from the creeps I seemed to attract everywhere, the shoelaces she stopped to wait for me to tie, the errands she accompanied me on, the heartfelt letters she wrote, the devotional notebook Christmas present, the movies, the travels, the surprises, the occasions, the secrets, the jokes, and everything else we shared growing up together
love is the family that has made me feel like I'm also part of their own
love is all the prayers that ever included me
love is all the love shown by every person He has allowed to be a part of my life
love is actions and words, gestures—both grand and small, time, presents, affection, kindness, thoughtfulness, care, empathy, compassion, support, faithfulness, loyalty, trust, honesty, sincerity, respect, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and sacrifice
love, in its sincerest form, is something that will always be pure in intentions and unconditional in giving
Love is everything genuine I've ever experienced from the people I've encountered in my life—the ones I've learned about love from.