A Love Story

As you read this post, please listen to "Elephant Love Medley" from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Just do it. It's such a simple request.

While I was a junior in high school, I fell in love. The kind of love that you never forget or get over. The kind of love that, once lost, can never be replaced, but once found, will warm your soul forever. I never knew I could feel so wonderful, so light, so full of life. I thought that the idea of love was a little archaic, a thing of fairy tales and legend, just like fairy dust and happy places. I couldn't believe that I was one of the few lucky ones in the world that had attained such a perfect piece of heaven. This is the object of my undying affection:



Yes, it was a pen. But it was such a beautiful, incredible pen. I just couldn't get enough of it. We spent hours together, me writing, it letting ink flow gracefully from it's...lips? I thought we'd be happy forever, until I met 07's brother.



I hate to say it, but I had a choice to make. 07 had been so good to me, had taught me what love could really be. But 05 was better. We were more compatible. He didn't smear, not matter how quickly I wrote. He even came in a variety of colors! Oh, how could I ever choose between them both?

I struggled with this for months. I didn't sleep, I couldn't write with one without feeling guilty about the other. I had to make a choice. It was hard, but I finally did it.

I chose 05.

We were happy. More happy than I ever could have been with 07. (In hind sight, 07 was a good starter pen. But eventually, you just have to move on. You have to just follow your heart, wherever that may lead. Also, 07 smeared a lot, and his ink got used up way too quickly. I would never have been satisfied if I'd stayed with 07.) I thought we would spend the rest of our days together, but then Brother got home from his mission. And he brought with him the .38.



.38 was so small! His lines were so thin and precise, there were never globs, he left nothing to be desired. But how could I leave 05? He was perfect! He'd been there for me through my first college days. When homework was so overwhelming I just wanted to give up, 05 would help me labor away until all things were complete. I couldn't turn my back on him....could I?

I searched high and low for .38. The only place I ever found him was inside of Brother pocket. At last, at Office Depot, I found him. In a package of four. Right next to 05. In an effort to not feel guilty, I bought a package of both. I couldn't just buy one, there was no way. The other would feel bad.

I came to a realization a few weeks later. I could just use both. 05 and .38 aren't as jealous as 07 was. They're actually really good friends! My heart is glad, because I don't have to choose which I love more. I can have all good things. My soul rejoices.