For many years our family has had a mylar balloon strung up in our kitchen that was shaped in one continuous cursive spread which read: love. Its sheen was pristine and its message clear. What began as an ode to Valentine’s Day saw many celebrations come and go: birthdays, holidays, breakfasts, lunches and dinners, new jobs and lost jobs and cheers full of tears of joy and sorrow. In good times and in bad, this polyester film stood guard, over my children, my partner and the memories we made gathered in our kitchen. It was, unequivocally… love.
Some might say, much like art, that love is hard to get. It’s beautiful. It’s messy. It’s confusing. It’s relentless but not without diligent care. It comes naturally but requires great nurturing. It’s strong and it’s fragile. It requires control. It’s complicated.
When the balloon left its post recently, it was discarded — not carelessly but in a way it was sure to meet its demise. The remaining air found ways to escape as it was wrapped up in the twine it had relied on to support its message for so long. Its sheen was twisted around itself as it took new shape. This anthropomorphic tribute to love became something new. Something familiar. Something complicated.
And then it hit me.
This is the love I now know. This is the messy, confusing, chaotic love that exists in all relationships. It doesn’t sit pristine on a shelf for years hoping to be noticed. The love I know ebbs and flows but remains constant, an ocean of emotion to rely upon. The love I know hurts, has hurt, will hurt but always promises you will feel. The love I know requires growth and letting go and leaning in and never giving up.
The love I know, is complicated.
In honor of 2/14, I’m selling fourteen 8x10 prints of It’s Complicated priced at $100/piece. If you’d like to purchase a signed, limited edition print, please email me here.
It’s Complicated. © 2020.