The Love Lock Series: The Handknitted Scarf Chapter

Love is protection, a soft sanctuary against the cold. I spoke to Courtney Heidorn and her boyfriend Nolan on their first anniversary. As they reflected on their time together, each exchanged giggles and a mutual relief to have found safety and acceptance in one another. 

“What made me fall in love with you was realizing I felt totally safe to be entirely myself,” Nolan said. “I could say anything I felt was true, and you’d call me out and it didn’t even make me feel bad.” 

Courtney went on to share how unexpected falling in love was for her, as she’d just graduated college when she met Nolan and wasn’t planning on dating anyone. “Nolan is the first person I’ve truly loved deeply, and I have that sense of security in being myself, laughing with each other, making each other better, having hard conversations, and feeling safe to make mistakes.”

They both agree that there is no such thing as the right person at the wrong time—the right person is right all the time. And when they so naturally provide the kindness, playfulness, and understanding necessary to be yourself, that’s when you know you’ve found someone worth building a relationship with. 

Love is not a scratchy wool sweater that keeps you warm at the price of discomfort. Rather, it is a scarf handknitted with patience, unique to every person and relationship. We all have needs, but they are not all the same and even if they are they can be met differently. Love is finding an intricately woven pattern, knowing when it’s wrapped around you that it was made just for you.