i woke up with a song in my head (cleo soul’s – When I’m in Your Arms) – one of those beautiful chicago two-step tracks that makes you think of romance. but instead of attributing it to romantic love, i’m realizing this song captures something deeper for me.
i’m talking about that kind of love you see in elders who still laugh and giggle together, who feel completely safe in each other’s arms. that lifelong romantic connection where both people are truly held. to be honest, i can’t say i’ve ever experienced that kind of romantic love – maybe in moments, but not in that sustained, safe way.
but here’s what hit me: i have experienced that feeling, just not with a person. life itself, the universe, my ancestors – they’ve embraced me in ways that feel exactly like what that song describes. when i listen to it, that’s what i feel – not longing for a romantic partner, but recognition of the love affair i already have.
this song would be my love song to the universe. it captures how life has held me, supported me, embraced me in ways that feel like the safest, most complete love i’ve ever known.
key moments/bullet points:
• waking up with the song – chicago two-step music playing in my head
• reframing love songs – moving beyond romantic attribution to something deeper
• observing elder couples – those aunties, uncles, grandparents who still giggle together and feel safe in each other’s arms
• honest romantic assessment – acknowledging i’ve never experienced that sustained romantic safety
• the universe as lover – recognizing that life, universe, ancestors have embraced me in exactly those ways
• song as personal anthem – this would be my love song to the universe, not to a person
• love affair with life – the realization that my greatest love story isn’t romantic at all