A letter to my Heart.

Dear Heart:

I know it's been awhile since we've really took a minute to catch up with one another and for that I apologize. I always know you're there. Sometimes you catch me off guard with how loud you are and I remember that without you, I'd be lost.

You've led me down so many paths, Heart, and for that I am grateful. From the time I understood how you operated, I let you lead me in any direction you desired: To the hours I'd spend laughing with my grandfather; to the first acute rumblings of infatuation for that dark-haired boy when I was about seven or eight; to a lonely stage in a coffeehouse to read poetry; to late nights sitting cross-legged on a deserted road in the warm summer air.
But we've hit some rough patches too, Heart, when you were stubbornly too open. Like the first time I really, really cried when Papaw died or the time when my father decided he was moving to Canada and left me sobbing in our living room watching him drive away.
I can't hold it against you. I understand you prefer being open to everything in the hopes that what enters will fill you with joy. And I can't lay all the blame on you. I've led you in the wrong direction a few times, too. Like my second freshmen semester obsession with Cheetos and Mountain Dew (sorry), or my stint with RockStar and vodka (again sorry... for the palpitations) and my undying love for any sort of fried food product (I really am cutting back, dude. I promise.).

And together we've made it a point to, over and over, get ourselves into exquisitely precarious situations: The time we thought it'd be a good idea to fall in love with our best friend; when we wanted that fake Prada bag so much, we let a vendor lead us into the basement of an office building in Chinatown (thank God the only result was a sub par faux designer purse); when quick wit and a devilish grin took us for all we were worth; or when we fancied a trip to Ireland and bought the ticket that same week without much thought.

But it seems to have all worked out, Heart. Yes, if you ask me, I think we're doing quite well considering the cracks and bruises along the way. And for that I'd like to thank you.
I'd like to thank you for never giving up on me. For persisting when my head told me to close you up and put up an "Out of Order" sign. For continuously reminding me that the next exciting experience is just around the corner. For craving satisfaction and affection. For reminding me that there is good in humanity. For yearning for discovery. For entertaining rebellion. For pumping the blood through my veins day after day so that I may never cease to love and hate everything the world has to offer. Thanks, Heart. We've got this whole "life" thing in the bag.

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This was inspired by the Letter to My Heart Campaign on blogher.com.