Love Is The Greatest

Love Is The Greatest Thing. It can definitely be a tricky game to play. It can provide you with the best of times and the worst of times. The best memories along with memories you’d like to forget. Regardless of it’s cruelty, love is a game worth playing. 

Sophie and I on the top of Quandary Peak, CO [14,265′]

I’ll admit, I’ve had a bad taste in my mouth with love over the last year and a half. A serious relationship ended pretty badly, followed by several other shorter, less serious ones ending out of nowhere.

Nonetheless, I still remain firm in my belief that Love is the greatest thing. 2017 certainly confirmed that for me.

Love takes many forms, not just the romantic one that seems to be the default when the word is uttered. I am grateful for these other forms. Arguably more so than the romantic version. 

These forms allow people to welcome me into their home, completely surprised of my appearance and even had a hard time recognizing me due to a wild, untamed beard.

They welcomed me whole-heartedly even though I was on the tail end of a week with no food (only water), no shower, and no change of clothes (I had worn the same thing every single day, for a week). It was some Stoic shit, of which, I’ll explain later.

Despite my condition, these people welcomed me graciously. I know that many others, whom I’ve been fortunate to meet, get to know, and share countless memories with, would’ve done the exact same thing!

In many ways, I find this to be the best form of love! It has always been the most unconditional and longest lasting, despite several years of being thousands of miles away. It’s like we just pick up right where we left off.

My nomadic lifestyle has become accepted by these ‘loved ones.’ They know that it may be a good while before I make my way back to their neck of the woods but I’d like to think that they know it’s not a matter of if but when I’ll be back around.

A quote that I’ve really been pondering is “your net-worth is your net-work,” meaning that the people you surround yourself with play a huge role in determining how your life will go.

I feel incredibly blessed with the network that I have; it expands from sea to shining sea! I’m the luckiest guy on earth and I would argue the most Loved too!

I’m kind of a deep guy. If I had to compare myself to a vegetable, it would probably be an onion. Start to peel back the layers and you’ll realize that ole Nick is quite complex in a ironically and refreshing simple kind of way (toot, toot).

What I mean by that is I’m an easy going guy who isn’t bothered by a whole lot. I can get fired up and there’s a few out there who enjoy getting me that way, although it’s been much harder in recent years.

I very much pull from both ends and am virtually unbeatable. I won’t argue with you if I feel that you are not open to hearing the other side. I’ll let you say your peace, nod, and carry on (my wayward son).

That’s not to say that I am not extremely passionate about things. A few conversations with me and you’ll realize that I’m incredibly passionate and full of care. But, I care about important things and things that actually affect me.

I don’t give two shits about what color shirt I wear to church or if anybody is going to judge my lifestyle. Fuck ’em! (And I don’t really care if you don’t agree with my choice of words)

But, if you’d like to know my stance on profanity, allow me to express my belief in one, concise, but extremely affective sentence:

“There’s no word more effective than a well placed F bomb.” – Nick LaToof

Let’s bring this around full circle. I am me. Nothing more, nothing less. I love whole-heartedly and attempt to express my gratitude to the point of nauseam. In my opinion, one cannot be too grateful, ever. And, my fear is that I leave this earth without expressing my gratitude to everyone that I’ve been so fortunate to know and create memories with.

While not everybody will agree with some (or any) of my beliefs and/or behaviors, I believe they can still love me for who I am. Because there’s nothing I value more than Love. And, you can bet your ass, if I say that I Love you, you know 100% that I mean it.

Love is not something I play around with or casually say. I don’t love possessions, foods, TV shows, or any other temporary satisfactions. I Love people.

I Love people who were, will be, and who still very much are in my life!! Each and everyone has helped shape me and my life’s direction and I can’t thank you enough for that!

I’m incredible happy with where I am in life. And I don’t say that trying to convince myself that I actually am happy (like most people on the internet). The lessons I’ve learned in 2017 will prove to be some of the most valuable, and longest lasting.

I’m confident that I have built an incredible foundation on which to build my life. At the heart of that foundation is you! The people who have loved, cared for, and take care of me although I may be thousands of miles away.

To wrap this up, I can’t think of a better way to express my gratitude and appreciation than to say,

THANK YOU!! AND I LOVE YOU, VERY, VERY MUCH!!

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