Austin Price, Editor in Chief
I always said I would never let anyone touch me, hold me, or feel me at the beginning of a relationship.
And then I met you.
Mud on my skin, sweat in my hair, and hope in my eyes, as we stood side by side, like allies in a war.
The war of life.
This man, a stranger to me only a few short weeks ago, instantly became my confidant, my companion, and most of all, my champion.
A champion I knew I deserved, but one I never thought I would find, and one I am scared to let go.
The air was sickly sticky with moisture, the ground captured our feet with thick mud, and the sun was conquered by the harrowing rain that was to come.
Screw the rain, I thought. Because for the first time in my life, I had someone to keep me warm.
As your hand slipped in mine, my whole body tingled with warmth and excitement.
Our fingers interlaced and our hearts intertwined.
With this spark of awakening, my tattered heart was healed, and my hope for love was resurrected.
My head lowered onto your shoulder, your arm snaked around my waist, and for the first time ever, curled into a man’s touch instead of flinching away.
I have always been a teacher’s pet, the little girl afraid of breaking the rules, afraid of the threat of repercussion.
And then I met you.
I broke every rule I made for you. But instead of feeling guilty or ashamed, I felt liberated, and I felt loved.
All because of you.