But as I was saying, from my experiences, I think men tend to be

In the gentle yet piercing words of Alicia Machado, we find a truth that transcends the fleeting glamour of her fame: “From my experiences, I think men tend to be more timid in expressing their feelings for you. Regardless, I always prefer a friendship first and foremost.” Though simple, this utterance carries the weight of ages, for it speaks not merely of romance, but of the deeper nature of human connection, the delicate dance between vulnerability and trust, between desire and companionship. It is as if she were a sage cloaked in the garb of modernity, reminding us that love cannot bloom in haste—it must be born first in the soil of friendship, where hearts can breathe freely and the soul can be seen without disguise.

Her observation that men are timid in expressing their feelings is not one of reproach, but of understanding. Throughout history, men have been taught to cloak their emotions in armor, to walk the world with faces carved from stone, even when hearts within them tremble like leaves in the wind. They fear rejection, they fear appearing weak, they fear the gaze that might not return their affection. Yet within that fear lies something tender—an ancient yearning for connection that struggles to find its voice. Machado’s words, therefore, are a call for compassion: to see not just the silence, but the courage that hides within it.

And yet, beyond the timidity, her wisdom shines in the second part of her saying: “I always prefer a friendship first and foremost.” These words are the key. For friendship is the root from which true affection grows, the foundation that endures when passion wanes. Without friendship, love burns quickly and dies like straw in fire; with friendship, it becomes a hearth that warms through every season. To seek friendship first is to seek understanding before possession, respect before desire, and trust before intimacy. Such love cannot be shaken by time, for it is built not on illusion, but on the shared truth of two souls who have walked together through laughter and silence alike.

Consider the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, whose union remains one of history’s tender testaments. Before their marriage, there was friendship—letters exchanged, thoughts shared, laughter unburdened by expectation. It was this friendship that allowed love to grow not as a sudden flame, but as a steady light. And when death claimed Albert, Victoria did not let her love die with him; it transformed into a lifelong devotion, for it had always been more than romance—it had been companionship, the meeting of hearts that knew one another’s depths. Such love could endure grief, for it was rooted in friendship’s immortal soil.

There is profound wisdom here for every generation. In a world that often mistakes attraction for love, and speed for sincerity, Machado’s counsel stands as a quiet rebellion. She reminds us that to truly love is to see—and one cannot see another’s soul unless one first becomes their friend. Friendship strips away pretense; it teaches patience, humility, and genuine care. The heart learns to listen instead of demand, to give without fear of return. In friendship, love is not a storm but a sunrise—gentle, certain, and full of promise.

Let us then take her words as a mirror for our own lives. Let us not rush to claim affection, but nurture it through friendship and understanding. Let us honor the timidity in others, for it is often the sign of sincerity; the ones who hesitate to speak are often those who feel the most deeply. And if we wish to build love that lasts, we must begin not with desire, but with respect. Speak gently, listen deeply, and walk beside others long enough to know the rhythm of their soul.

For in the end, love is not found—it is built. It is not the sudden spark that blinds the eyes, but the slow-burning flame that warms the heart. Alicia Machado’s words remind us that friendship is the sacred ground upon which the temple of love must rise. And so, dear listener, when next your heart stirs for another, do not rush toward confession or conquest. Instead, plant the seed of friendship—water it with patience, tend it with honesty—and in time, love will bloom, pure and unshakable, as all true things are.