You know when a Girl is at her most beautiful? It's when she's playing the piano. I learned this lesson from my time with the girl I will tell you about today.
I met her in college. We both attended a prestigious Music School. At the time she was not sure whether she actually wanted to continue studying the piano or if she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. She was always writing kids songs for classes that she was planning to teach. I found them to be quite hilarious actually. One of them was even called the "Fart Exercise."
We'd play piano together. Practice for exams. Have competitions. Play duets. My days were spent with her chasing me around campus. I was always trying to take things seriously but she of course was a goof ball, never taking anything seriously. Often times she would show up at my classes, bringing me lunch, pretending to be my wife. This always led to awkward situations that I could never fully explain to others.
There was an occasion where I spend the holidays, meeting her parents. They were just as crazy as her. They lived in a small town. Her dad was a fisherman. Her mom made clothes. Her little brother played soccer and her grandparents lived with them under one roof. It was one big party every day and it was awesome. They accepted me immediately. I had a second family. They were willing to do anything for me because they knew I would do the same for their daughter. They really understood how I felt, even though I was a little timid to show it to anyone else.
She of course, knew too. She was the kind of girl who got dressed up in a ridiculous Mongoose Outfit, danced around on stage, played the pianica, made me laugh. God those were amazing, memories. Those carefree feelings that she could just build up on me. She broke down every wall I had. Bit by Bit, until every one of my insecurities were just a pile of pebbles on the floor. She did it all, for me.
She had changed me so much. In relationships, that's what happens. You change each other. I, who was always serious, lightened up. Instead of sprinting to the finish, I slowed down and stopped to smell the roses. Appreciate the little things. She became part of me.
But she learned from me as well. The girl who never took anything seriously, started thinking about the future. She had talent in playing the piano. She was good. Much better than I was. So she started looking to further herself. She found a great school in France that accepted her. Basically took care of everything she would need. It was an opportunity that was best for her. Never would she have another chance like that. She took my advice and moved to Europe to pursue her music career. That was the part of me that became her.
Sure, she could have stayed with me. Became a kindergarten teacher and lived happily ever after. But when you care about someone. You want the best for them. Even if it's not you. I didn't know what she would find in France. It was a whole other world. If there's something or someone better, I wanted her to have the opportunity to have it. I couldn't live with myself having known that she stayed and settled.
I hope you're doing well, Noda Megumi
Love,
David
