For the past four years, I’ve dated an amazing girl, though I use the term “dated” loosely. We met in college, and ever since then we’ve had some strange force pulling us towards one another. For those four years, she’s given me her all, throwing her own emotional safety to fate in attempt after attempt to show me what the two of us could have together. And for four years, I’ve kept her at bay, always an arm’s-reach away. I never let her get too close, and yet never let her get too far. I abused her innocent, hopeful love, and gave her only repetitions of pain and rejection in…

I had only intended to spend a few hours with That Girl in Columbus – instead, I spent a few days. We spoke about things on a level of intimacy that was unprecedented for me. I was digging deep to express my innermost hopes, desires and fears (this was, after all, my Journey of Fear). I honestly can’t imagine any better start to this trip. On my second day there, I was actually planning on setting off. She had to work for the entire day, and we were in a strange sort of limbo when it came to our relationship (as we have been for about the past three years).…