Plato's Theory of Love

Through my rose-tinted, wire glasses, I scan

the room for a table. A four seater

next to the full wall window had the perfect

lighting. I silently strode through the crowd,

sinking down, backpack flopping in the chair

empty beside me, and pulling out my

philosophy book and water bottle.

I'm studying Plato's theory of love.

Was love simply broken into solely

three: Eros, Philia, and Agape?

General grouping like that did not leave

room for the complexities of human

interaction and experiences.

Wasn't there more depth to the connections?

“Is anyone sitting here?” A gentle voice

interrupted my thoughts pondering this

mystery. I look up at this petite,

blond haired, blue eyed boy, casually standing

by the available chair, a twinkle

in his eyes and warm wide smile that brightly

beamed confidence. Or was it something else?

The comfortable but unusual

expression perplexes and astounds me.

“No, go ahead.” He quickly lowers down,

only briefly taking his eyes off me.

My stomach flutters, catching me off guard.

I grab my water bottle to avoid

his eager gaze. Why is my mouth so dry?

“I've never seen you here before,” he smirks.

I choke back laughter. “That's a blatant lie.

I'm here every day.” He looks sheepish.

“Well, I just started school this semester.

This is my first time taking a break here…

And that's when I spotted you walking in.”

Slightly stunned, I joke, “It was the glasses,

wasn't it?” That adorable grin spreads

across his face again. My stomach dances

with joy. “Yup,” he pauses, “...and that you're gorgeous,”

proudly announcing his observation.

My jaw drops as I am taken aback.

Is this handsome young man hitting on me?

“Well, thank you. You don't look half bad yourself.”

I mimic his smirk. His eyes fill with a

passionate fire I’ve never seen before.

My body burns. I abruptly inhale,

shocked by these new physical sensations.

My whirling brain has no time to process,

the increasing rhythm felt in my heart.

Why do I have goosebumps? When had he put

his hand on my thigh?! I didn’t notice.

How had I become so vulnerable?

Was this love? Me? Struck by Cupid's Eros?

This mysterious moment feels timeless,

natural and authentic together.

We banter easily captivating

each other with tales of past adventures.

Our quick physical and emotional

connection intrigues and inspires my soul.

Is this chemistry? Bonding in a way

none have accomplished? He had disarmed me,

bursting my impenetrable bubble,

with weapons of humor and compassion,

intelligence and mutual respect,

grasping the concepts of philosophy

and the spiritual understanding

beyond the basics religion teaches.

His mind is an expanding universe,

bouncing off my musings, creating such

brilliant ideas. The connections between

the emotional and spiritual

realms I knew had been missing in Plato's

theory of love. Still, my Ideal Beauty

sits before me. I now know what love is.