His heavy back and her set eyes, their shadows came together.

We forget that being in love doesn't just mean opening yourself up to love and be loved by someone; it also means opening yourself up to hurt. Putting into someone's hands your still-beating heart and trusting they won't squeeze it too hard. After all, we are hurt the most by those we love.

It is a terrifying and courageous thing to have been hurt by someone you loved and even think of giving another person the power to hurt you like that again.

But we not only deserve to take that risk like everyone else, we owe it to ourselves, when we're ready:

"I think I needed time
To dare
To take in air
Alone."

I took my time to sit with them in their pain and quietly heal along with them. And then, the world wasn't magically brighter, but a room was finally tidied, a picture was hung where it belonged, a tent was used, and a walk was taken.

It was time.

If you're in a place where a heavy and healing melodrama would do you good, I recommend this one to you.