28° and Clear
Image
photo by FreePik
From the Expression staff:
In recognition of the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, we asked our subscribers and friends to share a "love story" with us with the understanding that "love" could be defined in any way they chose--that their response did not have to be serious essays about the greatest love of their lives (though they could be) but could be more lighthearted. Over the next few days we will share the submissions.
by Megan Bartlett
Love is...
In May of 2025 I lost my best friend, Paul, to glioblastoma. In the months since his death, I've been reflecting on the love that held together the patchwork quilt of our eighteen-year friendship, a friendship from which I continue to find warmth and comfort. I'm glad to have an opportunity to share some of those reflections here:
Love is being encouraged to sing again after years of silence.
Love is an invitation to a Thai restaurant and hours of good conversation.
Love is a walk through the woods, noticing the sounds, sights, and smells.
Love is sharing a telescope to see the splendor of the moon in full detail.
Love is a long, full-bodied embrace that says, "I'm so glad you exist!"
Love is the delight of unexpected laughter at the end of a long day.
Love is all the little sacrifices and joys of cohabitating.
Love is forgiving each other for not living up to an ideal.
Love is friendship that persists through disagreements and disappointments.
Love is the space to cry or rage at life's injustices.
Love is a warm bowl of homemade soup offered to one who is sick.
Love is sitting together in the E.R. waiting for test results.
Love is companioning your beloved to death's door.
Love is letting them cross the veil before you do.
Love is cleaning out the house you once called "home".
Love is listening to the echoes while sweeping the empty rooms.
Love is finding joy in the midst of deep sorrow.
Love is lighting a candle every night in belief that Love lives on.
Love is trusting that what binds us together in life binds us together forever.
* Megan R. Bartlett is a ’95 BASH alum who now lives in the Philadelphia area. She is a licensed professional counselor and certified spiritual director who enjoys crafting, writing, and communing with Nature, especially her beloved cats.
More News from Boyertown
- Approaching Valentine's Day: The Pro's Offer Words of Love To help novice writers express their love, William Shakespeare, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and W.B. Yeats offer their poetry.
- The Measure: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Phil Repko reflects on his plans and preferences for celebrating Valentine's Day.
