TRUE LOVE IS BLIND

•INTRODUCTION•

"Can you tell me your love story?", Mina asked with doe eyes and a hopeless romantic heart. She had spent the last year asking any couple that displayed love and had the desire to share their secrets, in search of the best "all time" love story.

•CHAPTER 1•

Mina believed in true love. So she has made it her mission to prove that "real life" true love still exists. The divorce statistics are higher than they have ever been throughout history. This was discouraging, but she would not let that burst her bubble. She knew what she believed in and upon this quest she hoped to be able to share and win over, Linus, her fiance, with this information.

Born on Valentine's day and with the name Mina Cupid Jones, you knew she was destined to be a hopeless romantic. She had been surrounded by hearts and roses, submerged in the Disney princess kind of love, she dreamed of a special kind of love.

With the examples she saw in her family, she 100% believed in true love...the happily ever after kind of love. No one in her family, through all the generations (on both sides) had ever been divorced. She actually couldn't even remember a time that her parents or grandparents had ever fought, used foul language or spoke to each other with a raised voice.

When Mina was five years old, she dreamed of her wedding daily. She would play dress up and marry her favorite teddy bear, Walt. By the time she turned fourteen, her daydreams had progressed and matured. Now she dreamed of being proposed to on Valentine's day with flowers and a beautiful ring. She was sure she would be seeing a man down on one knee proposing before her twentieth birthday. Logically, to her, they would be married the following year on the same day.

•CHAPTER 2•

Linus, Mina's fiance, struggled with the thought of being married. His theory was if it's not broke, don't fix it. He was sure marriage would jinx their relationship. They had been together five years. They were happy. Linus really loved Mina.

Linus was raised by a single mom. His father exited their lifes as soon as June, Linus's mom, had told him she was pregnant. Linus had never met his father and all he had seen was his mother struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food in the fridge.

Later, when Linus was eight years old, his mom married a man named Jim. At first things seemed good, some of the weight of the world was lifted from June. She actually seemed happy. It was short lived, within a year they were constantly fighting. Linus couldn't take it, but he had no choice being the fact he was only nine years old.

With all the mayhem at home, Linus knew, by age fourteen, that he would never marry. He did not believe in happily ever after and refused to live a tortured life in a loveless marriage. The idea of divorce felt like giving up...failure. Linus gave up on nothing. He was not a quitter. So he figured, might as well leave good enough alone, and just enjoy being in a relationship rather then succumbing to marriage.

•CHAPTER 3•

Mina and Linus met their sophomore summer at the local park. Linus's soccer ball landed in the middle of the blanket Mina had just set up for a picnic. Needless to say, it was not love at first sight. Mina was so mad, she was steaming. Linus apologized and picked up his ball. He couldn't understand why she was still having an attitude. They went their separate ways assuming that this would be the only moment they would share.

A couple months go by, it was the first day of junior year. Mina couldn't believe it! That inconsiderate jerk was in three of her classes. It was unavoidable, they were going to be seeing each other. As time goes by, she lightened up and he warmed up. They began spending lunches together, everyday.

Homecoming was right around the corner. Linus wanted to ask Mina, but he had no idea how she would receive his request. After he had thought about it all week. He decided that the worst thing that could happen was that she would say no. Linus made up his mind, he was going to ask her at lunch.

Mina was taken back. They had became friends. She didn't know he had feelings for her. She didn't know, she had feelings for him until he asked her to the Homecoming dance. She blushed and got butterflies, quickly she accepted. That was the first date that led to many more.

•CHAPTER 4•

Surprisingly time had gone by so quickly. They graduated high school and went to two different local colleges. Their relationship blossomed.

Four years into their relationship, Mina constantly hinted about marriage. Linus always managed to redirect and divert the conversation. Meanwhile the last two Valentine's days, Mina cried herself to sleep. She couldn't understand why he hadn't proposed? What was she doing wrong? These concerns begin to send Mina into a mild depression.

Things had gotten very strained. Mina wouldn't stop hinting, buying bridal magazines and watching that TV show, Yes To The Dress. Linus was very concerned, as what to do next and what would this do to their relationship.

•CHAPTER 5•

One day, Mina completely broke down. She cried, cried and cried some more. Through the sobs she asked, "What have I done wrong? Do you even love me? Do you think I'm not wife material? Linus could see her pain.

He really loved her. What a heavy predicament he had found himself in. Upon contemplation Linus came to the conclusion that he must propose to Mina on Valentine's day. He was invested, he had listened to her daydreams for the last five years. He knew what she wanted and he wanted to make her happy.

"What about my happiness?", Linus asked his reflection in the mirror. Today he was going to buy the ring. This was too heavy. He couldn't breathe, his anxiety had gotten the best of him.

Finally a light bulb went off in Linus's head. He could propose to Mina to make her happy. Although, to preserve his happiness, he had no intention of ever setting a date or getting married. He was sure this plan would work...at least for a couple years.

A year after their engagement, Mina and Linus were out playing pool. It was her turn to shoot, but she was lost in the sparkle of her beautiful engagement ring. Soon her smile had turned into a frown. Linus could tell something was wrong, but he wasn't sure how to approach the situation.

Before he could come up with a plan, Mina had started talking about a mile a minute. He knew he was in trouble when the wedding and wedding dates were the first two things he had heard. Then she rattled off a bunch of wedding planning required for the event.

Linus looked stunned. He had thought she would be happy just being engaged, at least for a few years. It had only been one year since he had proposed. Mina thought she would be married by now. Everytime she mentioned any dates or planning ideas, Linus would change the subject or suddenly he would have somewhere else he needed to be.

•CHAPTER 6•

This had became a dilemma, it could no longer be swept under the rug. The conversation was not pretty, tears were shed when Linus told her the truth. That he had never planned on actually marrying her.

He tried to help her understand, that it was because he loved her that he knew he could not marry her. Mina could not understand. She felt unwanted and tricked. They parted ways from this conversation with no resolve.

It had been a month since their heavy conversation. Mina was hurt and seen no reason to continue this charade if he truly had no intention of marrying her.

Linus had missed Mina all month. He knew what she wanted...a date, a wedding, not the apology he was willing to give. Two more months had gone by and they couldn't stop thinking about each other. Linus called Mina and invited her out for coffee, hoping to clear the air.

Over a latte she explained her view of love and marriage. She believed in true love and was sure they had it. Linus explained his childhood and all the divorces he had experienced through different members of his family. He reiterated his feelings regarding marriage. He loved her, he really did.

He was trying to proclaim his love for her, but he felt like he was talking to a brick wall. It was like she had mentally checked out. Then all of the sudden, to his surprise, she was exuberant. She had ab idea.

•CHAPTER 7•

She called it a mission. She wanted to prove to Linus that true love is real. He thought the mission sounded preposterous. Mina was going to collect "real life" love stories to prove to Linus that true love does exist.

He agreed to be open minded, but he knew she couldn't change his mind. At least she was happy again. So it was decided Mina would go on a mission for a year to find the best love story.

Mina was sure if she could show Linus a different kind of love, true love, through the story of the heart...maybe he would be able to believe in true love. Mina dreamed of Linus marrying her and them living happily ever after.

"Can you tell me your love story?", Mina asked this question many times over the course of the year. Having not found the best "real life" love story, she had just been taking in the best of each story.

Until she met a man named William. His love story made her cry. It was the most beautiful "real life" love story she had ever heard. She knew at that exact moment true love does exist. It wasn't just for Romeo and Juliette or for couples in the movies or fairytale.

William and Susan's love story was a breath of fresh air. Finally she had found her "all time", "real life" best love story ever. She couldn't wait to share with Linus. She wanted to show him, true love is real. It was not a foolish fleeting moment or incomplete emotion destined to divide, separate or divorce.

•CHAPTER 8•

Mina was standing in line, breathing in all the smells. It was delightful. Today she needed to treat herself, it had been a rough week, floral relief was much in order. Mina loved to go to the flower shop and pick flowers as if she were choosing the flowers and colors for her wedding...mentally saturated in love.

Today she chose sterling roses, bear grass and eucalyptus. The bouquet was probably her favorite so far. Mina was lost in the details of her wedding, when she overheard this aged man in line in ahead of her.

He was talking to the florist, he explained how important it was that he got the most fragrant flowers. He went on to say the appearance was of no importance to him, it was the fragrance that mattered the most. The florist reassured him that the stargazer lily was the most fragrant flower.

He ordered a bouquet that he would pick up the next morning. The florist remarked that she must be one lucky lady. The gentleman replied it was he who was lucky and tomorrow afternoon they were going to be renewing their vows for their 75th wedding anniversary.

Mina had to talk to this man. She had to hear his love story. He had finished his order and was halfway across the parking lot, on his way to his car, when Mina set down her bouquet and chased after him. She had to hear his love story.

"Excuse me, excuse me sir, may I have a minute of your time?" She asked, while she tried to briefly, explain her mission. William found Mina intriguing, so he decided to engage in the conversation. Mina asked many questions with the most important being, "Can you tell me your love story?"

William had served in World War II. It was horrific, but he had survived, many of his friends had not. Back in California, after the dust settled, William was a twenty three year old man. William's friends had spent at least a week trying to set him up on a date.

It was time for him to meet someone and start making a life for himself and a little lady. So they set it up. Four days later, Saturday had arrived. It was the big day. William was nervous.

They had agreed to meet at the Newport Pier. He showed up in his "pink and greens" class A uniform, starched and dressed to impress.

Upon parking the car, William scanned the walkway that lead to the pier. He seen the most beautiful young lady dressed in a yellow dress with small flowers on it. He was anxious.

William was looking forward to meeting this beautiful girl, but he just wanted everything to go well. William walked up to Susan. Salutations were exchanged.

Nervously, William confessed to Susan that he had never been on a blind date. Susan giggled and said all her dates were blind dates. It took him a minute to comprehend...she was blind.

William and Susan spent the whole day together. It was beautiful she listened to the waves while holding his hand. The day couldn't have gone any better.

Back at the pier where their date had began, she had hoped he would court her. William had other ideas.

He held her hands, tried not to stumble on his words, he asked her to marry him. She laughed, he had to be joking. He was not.

Susan couldn't believe it. She told William that they did not know each other. They had only spent eight hours together. Wholeheartedly, William told Susan that he wanted to be her eyes for the of our lifes.

It was so sweet, the sweetest, but she wasn't ready. She was scared. She had not expected this! It had only been eight hours.

Susan decided to tell William that they had to date at least three months and then they could decide. William agreed. Two weeks later they were married and the last 75 years they had never spent a day apart, their love was stronger than ever.

Mina had never heard such a beautiful love story. She couldn't wait to share this story with Linus. She had finally found the story that true love is real and does exist. Mina had found it, the "real life" best love story ever.

•CHAPTER 9•

True love is blind. It sees no color, no gender or age. It is a feeling that consumes you. When it over takes you, two souls intertwine on their journey into forever together.

Love comes in many forms. With an open heart, there is a whole world to explore, remembering everyday you create and live your love story. Make it magical. Make it special. Make it real.

•CHAPTER 10•

Mina was so excited to share the success of her mission. The ultimate love story was all the proof needed to show Linus true love exists. Mina was sure that after Linus heard William and Susan's story, that his heart would be changed. He would believe in true love, and they would marry and live happily ever after.

Linus heard her out, but this one story was not enough for him to believe in true love. He thought she was delusional, still living in a fairytale rather then reality. He was certain marriage would never be on his horizon.

Mina couldn't believe it! If Linus couldn't believe in true love after hearing William and Susan's story, he never would. Mina was heartbroken, not just for herself and the demise of their relationship, but for Linus. To know he would never let himself believe in or experience true love was so sad.

•CHAPTER 11•

When Mina started this mission, she was only trying to make Linus love her in a way he did not. Having heard all these love stories and picking the best information from each, she had learned so much. William and Susan's story inspired her and kept her dream of true love alive. She was no longer waiting for or even planning her wedding.

From one question: "Can you tell me your love story?" Mina learned how to love herself. Everyday is a part of our love story. Find value in that. Make it a great story...happily ever after until the end.