Shannon Simpson

Always Shannon Simpson

Have you ever met someone and known immediately your life would never be the same? That's how it was when I met Brian. One smile and my world was rocked to it's core.

Everyone has that one love they can't forget. The one that spoke to your soul, not just your heart. At twenty-six, I had never been in love. I thought I was broken. Then I met Brian. There was something about him that spoke to my soul. He was everything I dreamed the man for me would be, with one major flaw. He was married. Even if he wasn't, I knew he wouldn't want me. Overweight for most of my life, I was shy around men. I preferred to remain in the background, never calling attention to myself. After being teased in my formative years, I had scars on my soul.

Brian offered me his friendship. I was happy to accept. I was careful not to talk much about myself. I thought if I hid my heart behind a stone wall, I'd be able to protect myself. I tried to be friends, truly I did, but sometimes friends sneak into your heart with no warning. I don't remember when it happened. One day we were friends, the next I was in love with him. I tried to hide it, but I think Brian knew. There was something about him that my starving heart couldn't resist.

When Brian finally said the three words I had longed to hear, I let fear keep me from saying the words I should have. In an attempt to protect what was left of my heart, I stopped seeing him. We stayed in touch at first, but as the years went by our communications were few and far between.

How can our friendship survive when loving him is forbidden? I won't cross that line. I won't be that woman. I love Brian enough to let him go. Will I ever have my happily ever after?