Today, on my way home, I met two friends, Michelle and Patrick. They were outside the Pack Memorial Library, taking the sunshine in. Patrick made room for me to sit next to him and read me a beautiful love story (photo). I looked at Patrick’s balsamic green eyes, so full of life and light, and closed mine to focus on feeling his deep voice that always brings me home. Then, the Universe became the story, and the story became the Universe.
Yes, sweet friend, love liberates. Thank you for liberating me. You make the streets of Asheville my sanctuary.
When Michelle returned from the library, her arms full of books, we drifted into a conversation about Pinocchio and the hero’s journey. She shared a poignant insight: Pinocchio became truly human—gained a soul—when he faced the darkness in the belly of the whale and realized his love for his father was worth risking everything to save him.
Michelle and Patrick, in their own way, echoed the same wisdom: love awakens us. It connects us to something divine. We spoke of Jonah and the whale, the gifts we carry, and the profound transformation that happens in the dark waters of struggle.
Michelle, an artist at heart, read some of her poetry aloud. Her words were raw, beautiful, and alive. Yet, with a quiet vulnerability, she admitted she longs to share her gifts more often but doesn’t know where to start. Patrick, with the gentleness of someone who truly sees her, handed her a heart-shaped box of chocolates.
Watching them together—bound by love, resilience, and mutual care—was a profound reminder of what it means to love deeply, even with so little.
It made me happy to know that, despite everything, Michelle and Patrick have found each other. Happy Valentine’s Day to these two beautiful souls who show that love, no matter where it blooms, is always sacred.
(Patrick and Michelle were homeless in the streets of Asheville, North Carolina)