In this modern world it is easy for a young person to become cynical and jaded about many things, this concept of 'love' amongst them. Yet every now and then a heartwarming story will appear out of nowhere to strike a blow against that fortress of cynicism and guardedness and nearly, very nearly, has one believing that things can change for the better.

This week brought a double blow to my fortress at least. First Prop 8 in California was ruled unconstitutional by a Judge Vaughn Walker and the second is an article by Lisa Ruth Brunner published in the New York Times' Modern Love column. (My thanks to Dorothy Snarker for highlighting it in her blog.)

Brunner makes no bones about the fact that the object of her desire and ultimately love was also a girl, and how instead of following a boy wherever he went she ended up following a girl instead.

We all have that first love. You know the one. The one who either brings a bittersweet smile to your lips after many years or a sweet smile of reminiscence when you recall that laugh, that voice, that look. The one you will always remember and perhaps, even, write about. The one you will always, in some way, love.

Certain parts of the world have come far. While the plague of female foeticide and infanticide still ravages vast lands, we have the heartening progress, the gradual shift away from hetero-normativity, an increasing tolerance of diversity. For those fortunate enough to be recipients of that progress, revel in it and pray that one day it will be the same in other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, I will go back to re-reading Brunner's article, and after having snooped around Google to find out who the object of her affection was, I expect it will be interesting.

Image from Art & Perception