MEGAN WRITES BEAUTIFUL THINGS AND YOU SHOULD READ THEM

I’ve never done something like this on here before, but then again, since I’m rather ambivalent regarding the point/format of this little piece of internet I frequent (get it? GET IT!?), I feel there is no reason why a post such as this shouldn’t happen—especially after reading my friend Megan's most recent piece of writing and feeling so strongly about it that I just can’t contain myself and I want to print it in every language in its entirety and send it to every woman on the planet. (I suppose I could just give them the URL to the article, but handwritten things mean so much more in this crazy, technological world we live in and what she said was so personal and lovely that it is worth far more than the paper and ink and postage that such an endeavor would require.)

But before I get to where I’m going here, I want to say that the wonderful-but-not-very-exciting story of how I came to know Megan, the fact that I’m even writing this, is one more testament to my firm belief that everything in our lives happens for a reason—that each minuscule decision we make can have a huge impact on who we become and what our futures will be. To prove my point, examples of these decisions in my life include crossing a courtyard in middle school, checking a computer, and choosing to eat pizza with complete strangers. See what I mean? It kind of boggles my mind, but I love it. And I love Megan.

The way she entered my life came about quite simply—I chose to live at the apartment complex where she lived. And a few months later, I realized she was a kindred spirit—case in point, not long after we became acquainted we spent over four hours one Saturday watching the Masterpiece Theatre version of Jane Eyre on my couch. That kind of kindred spirit. Her friendship, coupled with a beautiful comment she made in a church meeting about why she was an English major, actually gave me the confidence to pursue that degree myself. And I know that wasn’t a coincidence.

But besides all of that wonderful goodness, what I love about Megan is how kind and genuine she is. How she uplifts and truly cares about those she comes in contact with. I can’t really describe it beyond saying that she glows—she literally radiates kindness.

Obviously, that means it comes through in her writing as well—it’s beautiful and incredibly insightful and because of that, I want to share it. So here are a few of her pieces that exemplify this gift of hers. Enjoy soaking up every bit of it (before she goes to Oxford this fall and is potentially swept away by a dashing young man and therefore maybe won’t write quite as frequently as she currently is).

"The Stepsister's Lament": Or, Why I Cannot Entirely Get Behind the "Real Women Have Curves" Movement 

"According to the desires of their hearts"

"If this be magic, let it be an art as lawful as eating"