‘Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no trouble, noise, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.’
I have never felt that so clearly in a moment than this past week. And beyond. That peace I felt was bridled with grand amour, excitement and pure gratefulness that Neil and I made it.
Neil Mody. The man that I have promised to share my life with. My match in everyway.
Neil was my very first and truest love. We met when we were 18 years old and studying at NYU. We couldn’t have been more different on paper, but found ourselves hooked for the ride of our lives and connected evermore.
Life happens.
Life isn’t fair.
We make mistakes.
It’s up to us to fight for the people and things we love and truly want in our lives. Now when I say fight, I mean fight. Like you never have. All in. Fight fiercely and passionately, and then when you think you have nothing left and you want to throw in the towel, fight one more round.
I have always been a deep romantic but, for most of my life, plagued myself with ceaseless questions about love that left me branded in personal madness. I battled. I was a brat. I needed, craved certain, definitive answers. I longed for the secrets from those who had endured. How did you do it? How do you know?
It’s actually really simple.
When you’re lying on your deathbed and are about to take your last breath, what will you be thinking about? Not the nonsense that life threw at you or that you spent so much energy on. The only thing you will be thinking about and that matters is who is there. In that moment, when it’s just you and the other side waiting, who is with you? Who do you want holding your hand?
Everyone’s journey is different and hopefully not too arduous, but if it is, it will push you to dig deeper than you could ever imagine. But you will endeavor to persevere. And I can tell you that the light on the other side is brighter, bolder, and more brilliant than you could ever have allowed yourself to dream. And it’s so worth it.
The stars do align.
A moment can change everything.
And you just know.
And then you get to just marvel in it all. And be happy.
Ever After.
xx
-Sheetal Sheth