Safe Haven

by Nicholas Sparks

The emotions attached to them were like sand castles in the tide, slowly washing out to sea.

“People react in a lot of different ways and it’s up to me to figure out how to help them accept what happened—and I hate that word, by the way, since I’ve yet to meet anyone who wants to accept it—but that’s pretty much what I’m supposed to do. Because in the end, and no matter how hard it is, acceptance helps people move on with the rest of their lives.

People will tell you most of the story… and I’ve learned that the part they neglect to tell you is often the most important part. People hide the truth because they’re afraid.”

giving voice to the truth of her past meant opening the door to the future.

Everyone has a past, but that’s just it—it’s in the past. You can learn from it, but you can’t change it.

That he would love her no matter what she told him, and that he was the kind of man who loved her already and would love her forever.

there were people who added goodness to the world and people who lived to destroy it.

“I’m not sure anyone’s life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible.”

Joy was as fleeting as a shooting star that crossed the evening sky, ready to blink out at any moment.

“Besides, every couple needs to argue now and then. Just to prove that the relationship is strong enough to survive it.”