As a hopeless romantic, reading “When I Said ‘I Love You’” by Natalie Pleitez made me look at love in a different way. Instead of those three words symbolizing a hopeful, happy journey, they described vulnerability and helplessness. I congratulate Natalie for being able to convey those feelings in such a unique way. She describes the words as “a neon life saver, nodding their frantic approval,” an image I never would have pictured. However, I’m glad I did.
  Love isn’t always a fairytale and sometimes, it can be quite scary. Sometimes it does feel you’re being swallowed by “violent waters,” as Natalie so beautifully says in her poem. After reading her piece, I was left struck by her distinct conception of love, but I was also extremely interested by it.