Soulmates arenβt the ones who make you happiest, no. Theyβre instead the ones who make you feel the most. Burning edges and scars and stars. Old pangs, captivation and beauty. Strain and shadows and worry and yearning. Sweetness and madness and dreamlike surrender. They hurl you into the abyss. They taste like hope.
Kevin and I met in a club 25 years ago. He was with a couple of friends, who were friends with my friends. After a couple of drinks, we got into a conversation. When I was ready to go home, he gave me a ride to my apartment. Since he knew where I worked, he had shown up the next day. Usually, I don’t give out my phone number unless someone asks for it or I ask for theirs. But when Kevin was standing in front of me, I said, “Dude, I forgot to give you my number last night. If you want to hang out, give me a call. Maybe we can do something for Christmas together.” Kevin agreed, folded the note, and left. The same night, he called me. And we were talking over a beer in a bar.
The next day was Christmas Eve. I was on vacation leave for the remaining days of the year. Months ago, a friend of mine and I planned a small Christmas dinner for the night before Christmas. I asked her if it was okay if I brought a friend over. She said: “Well, it’s Christmas. Nobody should celebrate this special holiday alone.” Kevin picked me up from home. When I sat in the car and we talked a little, he opened the glove box and handed me a small present. I shook it to hear what might be in there. Kevin screamed: “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Later on, I found out why he did that. Well, the little elephant lost part of its trunk when I shook the little box. Even when the elephant doesn’t look perfect anymore. But it is a story worth talking about. It was very sweet of him since we had known each other for a couple of days. It was the first gift I got from Kevin. I still treasure these three wooden elephants to this very day.