There is a man I love who always likes to remind me of how much we love each other — yes, as in, girl, you know it’s true. Now, I know that sounds romantic and fantastic and all, but hold up. There is one big catch, to this most authentic of loves. And that is that we cannot be together, no matter how much we love each other. Why, you may ask? Well, it’s not because geography, or other relationships, or any of the usual situational barriers, have made it impossible for us to be together. We only live about eight miles apart; we’re both single; both the same age; both healthy individuals with valid driver’s licenses and no apparent restrictions on our freedom. So I suppose the main reason our eight-year love affair has remained cerebral rather than physical, or even emotional, is because that’s the way he wants it. I have already told you that I love this man, but the fact is, he doesn’t want to be bothered with the everyday business of conducting a real relationship with me — or, maybe, with anybody. Instead, there is a big, blank NULL where the relationship part would go, to say nothing of sex or movie dates or even a casual brunch now and then. It has taken me a long time to consciously decide that I want, need, and deserve a much bigger love than this. Which is why I decided to leave behind what’s true —yes, as in, girl, you know it’s true — and create an entirely new love relationship that is finally based on what I want. He’s had his way for far too long, is what I think! And look how far it’s gotten us: exactly nowhere. Maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll read him the fictionalized version of our love relationship that I’ve constructed. Then, he can decide if he wants it to be true, or not. ❤️‍🔥—Y.B.D.