Emotional Intelligence

Alison taught me that there is both what your mind knows ~and~ what your heart knows.
She taught me that right from the beginning. When we were dating, I learned that, in spite of myself, I had to be with her. I could logically step myself away: the distance was too great, the Marines would forever pull me away, my life goals were not exactly the domestic model. But I was rubber-banded to her by my love. I would stretch it out, only to be pulled back. And then my life goals changed. Each smile I caught, each giggle I chased after, brought me closer and closer to her. To a life together. To marriage. Suppers. Joint-accounts. Babies. Grey hair.

A good friend of mine is almost famous for saying, "You can't stop love."

And that's kind of how I took it. Just love. But really it's more than that.

Follow if you can, but it's really emotional intelligence. My emotions knew we were right for one another. My heart knew we were each other's home. My emotions knew that she deserved all of my trust. And I guess if I had to name it better, I'd name emotional intelligence the language of love. But bear in mind this is me fumbling through this concept as I write, because there's a whole other side of that language that I'm learning. My emotions are learning that my home is gone. They're learning that I'm Fred Flintstone, kicked out of the house by the Sabre-tooth cat. But they're also learning that everyone has similar challenges, similar tragedies, and great resiliency. My emotions know happiness. They know a true friend.

Maybe it's just 'knowing things with your bones.' But whatever it is, my heart is watching the horizon of things to be understood with emotion.