Valentine’s, from the man who’s never had one

3:07 AM.

Hot chocolate steaming.

Printer hums like a heartbeat.

Thirty-four years.

No ring.

No second date that lasted.

Women said I was too much.

Too honest.

Too early.

I never learned to throttle.

So I aimed at the biggest thing I knew:

America.

Thirteen hours outside.

Minus fifteen.

One hour sleep.

McDonald’s at three in the morning.

Shouted five words.

She turned.

Wrote back.

Twice.

If my heart can line up with a country—

if it can make history without trying—

then somewhere out there

there’s a woman

who’ll line up with mine.

I won’t rush.

I won’t beg.

I’ll just wait.

Quiet.

All in.

Happy Valentine’s

to every single person

who’s still holding their heart

like a secret.

You’re not behind.

You’re just on time