Heh, I guess the truth with me is- yeah, I don't feel romantic notions, I don't feel sexual attraction, but I sure as hell love the people who've earned my affection as kin, and that love is deep and it is strong.
For all I hurt, for all the stuff I wear on my sleeve, for all the things that hurt me, that love for my friends- my family in all but blood- that's as solid as bedrock. It will never be broken.
I poured those energies into that love- who cares if I don't want romance, who cares if I don't want those things- because that elevates my love for my found family, lets me cast a wide net of affection for everyone I care about- a number growing every day lately, it feels like- and I don't feel like I'm diminished for it, I feel like I'm free of things that for me were only holding me back.
I don't want to sound like I'm blowing smoke up my own ass- believe me, I couldn't reach even if I wanted to- but I want to share that realization with y'all, in case anyone else feels that way too, that being aro or ace has left them somehow diminished. You're not "less" than someone else- you're free to put an excess of energy into showing your love in other, wonderful ways. π
