OP is like the Shane Falco of autoadmit - completely under the radar to the casual fans - and yet, for those who shared a locker room with him, the magic is on another level; the heart of a champion is undeniable…

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#42800243)

Believe it or not, I started to worry. I wondered if I had enough class. But it was Saturday night, I guess that makes it all right.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#42800249)

You have a gorgeous personality, IMHO, not flame. Certain about the truth yet lovably uncertain about yourself (earnest self-examination and self-deprecation, always honing one’s sheepdog skills), as my guy Chesterton said.

And TY for recommending subliminally just now the song I plan to listen to on repeat tomorrow afternoon when I do some pull-ups, military body weight squats or whatever those are called, and brainstorm a few wholesome high protein meals.

A true class recommendation, as always, from a gorgeous poaster.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#42800268)

As Tolkien said (in his essay On Fairy Stories, I think it was), we all have the desire for creative expression of some kind - how we communicate and connect with our loves ones, how we dress, how we cook, how we arrange our home, you name it - and this is because we were created by an Artist!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#44680280)

And it's funny you say that, while we're on your OP subject of lighthearted teenage romance, because every person I've ever known (family, friends, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, coworkers, neighbors, people I see a lot at various stores, you name it) will, at some point during our time together on this mysterious celestial pilgrimage, say:

"Please lecture me on a random subject of your choosing." And ironically, my never-ending hunger to learn from inspiring sheepdogs (like you!) is what has helped the most. Paying it forward is what this life is all about, I think. The brotherhood of the cosmic bootcamp, helping each other keep focused on the tortoise marathon to the sunrise...

...and beyond!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#44680292)

Something about XO that often gets underrated, is how it pushes us all to be more serious about the truth and our authentic connections with others, but less serious about ourselves. (We were made to be certain about the truth and uncertain about ourselves, as Chesterton said.)

So it's a thread like this that reminds me: we are all lost puppies in need of the Great Shepherd to guide us home (and his many deputized sheepdogs along the way), and that's the good news! It really brings the best out of us, just a little bit of good will to start and God takes care of the rest.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#44680298)

And also the specific context is starting to come back to me as well - I really like it here, the mysterious camaraderie of earnest truth seekers.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#44680273)

💔

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4880391&forum_id=2#47656511)