I knew exactly what Love looked like...
In seventh grade.
Even though I hadn't met Love yet, if Love had wandered into my homeroom,
I would have recognized him at first glance.
Love... wore a... hemp necklace
I would have recognized her at first glance. Love wore a tight French braid.
Love played acoustic guitar and knew all my favourite Beatle songs.
Love wasn't afraid to ride the bus with me.
And I knew
I just must be checking the wrong classrooms.
Just must be searching the wrong hallway.
She was there, I was sure of it.
If only I could find him. But when Love finally showed up
She had a bowl cut.
He wore the same clothes every day for a week.
Love hated the bus.
Love didn't know anything about the Beatles!
Instead, every time I tried to kiss Love, our teeth got in the way.
Love became the reason I lied to my parents.
I'm going to...
Ben's house.
Love had terrible rhythm on the dance floor, but made sure we never missed a slow song.
Love waited by the phone, because she knew if her father picked up, it would be:
"Hello."
"Hello?"
"I guess they hung up."
And Love grew.
Love stretched like a trampoline.
Love changed.
Love...
disappeared... Slowly like baby teeth,
losing parts of me I thought I needed.
Love vanished like an amateur magician.
Everyone could see the trapdoor, but me.
Like a flat tire, there were other places I had planned on going.
But my plans didn't matter.
Love stayed away for years,
and when Love finally reappeared...
I barely recognized them.
Love smelled different now, had darker eyes.
A broader back. Love came with freckles I didn't recognize.
New birthmarks, a softer voice.
Now there were new sleeping patterns.
New favorite books.
Love had songs that reminded him of...
someone else. Songs Love didn't like to listen to...
So did I.
But we found a park bench that fit us perfectly.
We found jokes that make us laugh.
And now, Love makes me fresh homemade chocolate-chip cookies,
but Love will probably finish most of them for a midnight snack.
Love looks great in lingerie, but still likes to wear her retainer.
Love is a terrible driver, but a great navigator.
Love knows where she's going. It just might take her two hours longer than she planned.
Love is messier now.
Not as simple.
Love uses the word boobs in front of my parents.
Love chews too loudly.
Love leaves the cap off the toothpaste.
Love uses smiley faces in her text messages.
And turns out...
Love shits!
But, Love also cries. And Love will tell you, you are beautiful
And mean it.
Over and over again.
You are beautiful: When you just wake up.
You are beautiful: When you've just been crying.
You are beautiful: When you don't want to hear it.
You are beautiful: When you don't believe it.
You are beautiful: When nobody else will tell you.
You are beautiful.
Love still thinks...
You are beautiful.
But Love is not perfect and will sometimes forget.
When you need to hear it most,
You are beautiful. Do not forget this.
Love is not who you were expecting. Love is not what you can predict.
Maybe Love is in New York City, already asleep.
You are in, California, India, Australia, wide-awake.
Maybe Love is always in the wrong time zone.
Maybe Love is not ready for you.
Maybe you are not ready for Love.
Maybe Love just isn't the marrying type.
Maybe the next time you see Love is 20 years after the divorce.
Love looks older now, but just as beautiful as you remember.
Maybe Love is only there for one month.
Maybe Love is there for every firework, every birthday party, every hospital visit.
Maybe Love stays.
Maybe Love can't...
Maybe Love shouldn't.
Love arrives... exactly when Love is supposed to.
And Love leaves... exactly when Love must.
When Love arrives, say: "Welcome! Make yourself comfortable!"
If Love leaves, ask her to leave the door open behind her.
Turn off the music,
listen to the quiet.
Whisper:
"Thank you for stopping by"
(Applause)