Lounging in the tranquility of a leisurely evening, the smooth sound of “Let me show you” by Julius De’Von Evans flowed through my headphones. Lost in its gentle rhythm, I couldn’t help but let the song’s lyrics stir a cascade of thoughts and emotions. It painted a scene of genuine, profound love, causing me to daydream about being cherished in that way – something real. A vision of tender moments, sincere promises, and a love akin to that old-school R&B kind of love unfolded in my mind.
In the midst of this musical reverie, a simple realization dawned on me – the person in my daydreams wasn’t some distant figure; it was my friend. This friend, a steady presence in my life for almost seven years, a reliable confidant who stood by me through thick and thin. It hit me that the emotions I was envisioning weren’t a far-off fantasy but something that had quietly existed between us all along.
This realization made me wonder back to when the shift in the dynamics of our relationship began. Three years had passed since the tumultuous end of my marriage, leaving behind scars that lingered. Throughout this time, my friend had been there, navigating the aftermath without expecting anything beyond friendship. I remember when he showed up to my home shortly after everything completely unraveled, wrapping me up in his strong embrace that let me know instantly that everything was going to be okay, that I was not alone. We have hugged hundreds of times throughout the years but this time it just felt different.
As the music played on in my headphones, I found myself acknowledging a subtle change in my feelings. His kindness, understanding, and consistent support weren’t just the foundations of our friendship; they became the groundwork for something deeper. It was a realization unfolding gradually, like a quiet unveiling of a long-held truth.
In the midst of this exploration, I found myself recognizing the value of having someone who, perhaps unintentionally, had been the perfect companion in the chapters of our friendship. He set a standard for how I deserved to be treated, showcasing through actions what genuine care and understanding looked like.
Yet, within this acknowledgment, an uncertainty about the future lingered. The uncharted territory of potential romantic feelings lay ahead, posing more questions than answers. The song continued to play, an unassuming backdrop to the evolving notes of our connection. In that uncertain space, I found comfort in recognizing the lessons learned.
Even after the confessions of mutual feeling on both ends and starting a new journey of knowing each other on a much deeper level, the future remains a puzzle of unknowns, but within that uncertainty, a profound gift surfaces. My friend unknowingly revealed that I could indeed love again. It wasn’t a love sparked by the flames of a whirlwind romance, but a love that developed quietly, steadily, and authentically within the boundaries of our friendship.
As the song gently faded away in my headphones, leaving behind the echoes of its final notes, I found myself embracing the ambiguity of what may lay ahead and smile as I truly appreciate the journey of this uncharted territory. No matter where this path leads us, whether it is happily ever after or just showing both of us that unconditional love still exists and that we are both deserving of it, I look forward to, with great anticipation, of what this future may hold.
Written by Lynn Nicole Turner
