Bees

“I don’t think you realize how strong you are, because sometimes strength isn’t swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it’s found in quiet, gentle places. The way you hold someone’s hand as they grieve. The way you listen to others. The way you show up, day after day, even when you are weary or afraid or simply uncertain. That is strength, and I see it in you.”
― Rebecca Ross, Divine Rivals

“in the last thousand years:
empires have risen and fallen
and I have loved you,
plagues have leaped from rat to daughter
and I have loved you
humanity has conquered sea and sky
and I have loved you
kings have been slain and forests razed and witches
burned and and gold struck and maps redrawn and
fortunes traded and volcanoes erupted and moons
landed and cathedrals sculpted and rivers dirtied
and masterpieces painted and battlefields bloodied
and I love you,
and I have loved you,
and I will love you.”
― Laura Steven, Our Infinite Fates

“The thing is,' Gwen said, muffled again against her dress, 'I think I could love a man. I just...haven't. I don't notice many people in that way. And if I could love a man, then surely I should try. It would make everything so much easier.'
'You could,' said Arthur. 'You could fall in love with a man, and know that you once liked Bridget, and neither of those things would change the other. They would both be true. But right now you do like Bridget. So I don't think you should settle for a life that denies that particular truth.”
― Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

“Sometimes,” Iris began, “I don’t think we know what we’re made of until the worst moment possible happens. Then we must decide who we truly are and what is most important to us. I think we’re often surprised by what we become.”
― Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows