One of the side effects to the delay or absence of marriage in our culture is that many of us have had strong connections with people who we didn’t end up with forever. (This is by no means a bad thing if we choose to treat the people we date well.)
And while many of us can move on and let go, the reality is that as humans, I believe God designed us to connect and be known by people—so it can be difficult to let go even when we need to.
Romantically or otherwise, there is such a difference between looking at someone whom you know nothing about and looking at a person you’ve been vulnerable with or shared a life-changing experience with.
I definitely have thoughts about the cons of hanging onto past loves (I’m not condoning or encouraging it whatsoever). And even though some of my friends felt this video was way too emo and contrived, I appreciated it because it shows the difference between knowing and not knowing—the difference between stranger and friend.
Watch, journal, or discuss with friends:
Observe and take note of the way the human body has a physical reaction to the emotion of love and being known.
Romantic, family, or friend—are there people in your life that you’ve really let know you? What were the pros and cons? How have those experiences colored how you let other people into your life or keep others out?
Who are the people who can understand you with a look? People who know what you’ve been through?
Are there people you’ve taken the time to truly get to know?
We were made to know and be known, my friends. Whether you are married or single- believe or don’t believe, when we pause and are honest with ourselves, relationships and connection are the catalyst to our engagement or disengagement with this life.
How engaged are you?
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I did! We can be an emo club.
I’m in. I’ll bring punch….moody punch.
D.D. wants to know what Moody punch is…
Who is the man? How does she know him? I want to know.
Hey RJ!
We don’t know a ton about the specifics of their relationship, but you can read more about the experiment here in the original article: http://enpundit.com/former-love-surprises-artist-at-her-moma-retrospective-after-decades-apart/
I read the article AFTER I watched the video. I was looking for nonverbal cues (as you instructed) and had many thoughts — but then finding out that they had a definite shared history and that she had no idea he would be there that day — I guess those tears were not part of the planned performance! I loved that the audience applauded…Thanks, Joy. p.s. what is moody punch?
Haha… I don’t know what Moody punch is but I’m guessing Jeff can explain. I think it probably makes everyone be really introspective and think about their kindergarten graduation and get a little misty eyed.
Wow. I cried too! Also, I agree with ^Jeff that this is the hardest part of being single and letting go thus all the more reason to let go; it’s even harder post-divorce and all your friends are still married or getting married. There’s just this stigma that comes with being divorced and single parents have a tough time building community. But wow, this made me cry.
I agree Faith. To see connection and know it’s what we were designed for as humans is always so painful when it has been broken in our own lives. Praying we hope and believe that connection and intimacy can be found through the Lord and other people he brings into our lives for you today.
Checking in from Korea… I love this website! Here’s a pertinent and powerful sermon (“Sex, Soul Ties, and Pornography” by John-Michael Becker) which hits exactly on this topic when addressing “Soul Ties” – which need to be broken before marriage. God bless!
Jeff thinks...
And that is the hardest part of being single and letting go of those past relationships; especially as you get older and most close friends get married. But I also think it is the very reason you need to let go.
(also…does it mean you’re emo if this made you cry? not that i did…just…curious…for a friend)
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