A Risk on Forever

by N.S. Perkins

way you would affect me wouldn’t be on the

surface, but in the deepest, most unknown part of myself.

Have I ever told you about my passion for romance novels? I’ve always considered myself a hopeless romantic. Reading about love blooming, especially between two people reluctant to it, has always been one of my favorite things in the world. I liked to read about people getting closer and connections being created. I loved to long for a first kiss and dread

the eventual fights in the couple’s future.

I might not have had a very extensive love life, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to see love blossom around me. All my life, everywhere I saw a spark, I watched in eagerness and waited for it to come to life and...

Show your emotions. Cry when you’re sad, laugh when you’re happy, scream when you’re mad, and kiss when you’re in love. You have every right to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and expressing it can only help to show who you are as a person.

kick them out of your life. They’re not worth it. You deserve to be with people who want to know your truth and to see your heart above all else.

You’ll never get what you want if you don’t work for it. Nothing in this world comes for free, and the best thing you can do for yourself is work your butt off for what you

believe in. Fight, tooth and nail, for the people you love.

I don’t think I’ve ever told you about the one and only time I’ve been in love. It was brief, but it meant everything to me. My heart had never felt fuller than in the months we were together.

However, I hope you know now that your big heart has never been and will never be a weakness. It is one of your greatest strengths, no matter how badly you might want to stop caring sometimes.

never let the

world ruin your heart of gold. No matter how much pain you go through, no matter what is thrown your way, no matter how people treat you, just don’t lose it. You might want to give it up for some bad people, but they’re not worth it.

With love and empathy, you can...

Don’t wait until you’re old or sick or dying to appreciate things. Live life to the fullest. Always. Starting now. Look at everything around you, be thankful for it, and enjoy the most of it. Time goes by so fast,

blink and you’ll miss it. So never wait for anything. Your moment is now.

I realized then that she reminded me of the ocean. So much deeper than anyone

could imagine. Scary, yet soothing. Tempestuous at times, serene at others. And always the most beautiful thing I could ever lay my eyes on.

I know I have told you that love is the most wonderful thing in the world, but sometimes, it feels more

like a curse than a blessing. I know it all too well.

feeling is never a bad thing, no matter how many inconveniences it can bring.

Surround yourself with good people. The ones who will be there to pick you up piece by broken piece when you go through hardships. The ones who will be by your side through thick and thin, through blazing heats and devastating blizzards. The ones who won’t only be there for the birthday parties and the Fourth of July fireworks, but also for the funerals, for the doctor appointments, and for the days when you can’t seem to pull yourself out of bed.

Always

embrace your choices.

Making mistakes is not the problem. Badly handling them is.

Own up to your choices.

And if on some days you can’t find this happiness, then create it. Laugh, travel, cook, sing at the top of your lungs, and dance until your feet are blistered. Be kind to each other, and love like every day is your last.