Soul Mate

Aristotle once said: "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies".

Amanda Beesley Weinstock seems to share this notion by concluding that a soul mate is: "... a person with whom you can communicate on the deepest level -- beyond words, beyond our clothing and imperfect bodies, regardless of time and age and the awkward agreements we reach. And when you meet someone who warms to what's buried beneath your surface, who sees and celebrates the essence of who you are without your having to explain it over soggy breakfasts and late-night negotiations, you have found a soul mate."

Furthermore, "Soul mates don't have to be about sex or marriage. The soul doesn't care about all that stuff, about a person's taste in restaurants or flossing habits or ability to argue a point. All it wants -- whether we owners know it or not -- is the company of other like-minded souls."

I can't agree more. In fact, this really reflects my own thinking. (Makes me wonder whether Amanda and I are actually soul mates, hehehehehe...).

While soul mates are often associated with spouses, partners or boyfriends/girlfriends, many find that their soul mates are those who others (or perhaps even the person him/herself!) will never think of fitting this soul mate stereotype. What I mean is, one may find his/her soul mates in their cyberfriends, blogpals, colleagues, or even the abang becak or pak ojek who rides him/her to work everyday.

In my entire 32 years of life I've had a handful of close friends and best friends (of both sexes), as well as a less number of guypals. I could say so far there are two people that I can freely declare as my soul mates.

One is a longtime best friend/choir mate whose birthday is only two days before mine. I don't believe in astrology, so I never give a crap about those zodiac things. We have a lot in common. We were both avid choir singers, we share similar values, and it took only a few months before we became inseparable (though there were two other wonderful girls in our circle of friends). Over the years, we didn't really need words to communicate. We had embarked on the state of being comfortable with each other's presence. I could go over to her house when she was taking her nap, and just read or watched TV there without feeling that I had bothered her or broken in her privacy. The same goes in reverse. She could even sleep on my parents' bed when she stayed over. After I moved to Jakarta, and she moved to her father's hometown, we barely contacted each other. And since I came here, I never called her. But she is always on my mind, and I know that I am in hers. We will never blame each other for not trying to contact, because once we meet again we will act like we were never separated before.

The other is an ex-boyfriend, and interestingly my first boyfriend. During those hot days (ahahahha...!) we could spend more than 10 hours a day, 4 days a week. I still remember, however, how relaxed I was around him. Not only didn't I need to worry about my makeup running out or if I have a bad hair day, but we could be together in silence without feeling awkward -- you know, like you have to say something. He could be there reading newspapers or watching TV, and I sat next to him or in other corner doing something else. On the other hand, we could also talk for hours. I remember, my mom once commented that we look like a longtime married couple (excuse me, not physical wise!). Although I don't have that desire for him anymore now, but the thought of him is always warming, for he's a truly nice and sincere guy. I pray that he will always be happy wherever he is. First love never dies? I doubt it.

I don't have to say a word to you
You seem to know whatever mood I'm going through
Feel as though I've known you forever
You can look into my eyes and see the way I feel
And how the world is treating me
Maybe I have known you forever

How about your soul mates?