I was born with a romantic nature, and I'll carry it to my grave.

Gather close, my children, for there is wisdom in the words of Telly Savalas, who, with great simplicity and conviction, declared: "I was born with a romantic nature, and I'll carry it to my grave." In these words, there lies an eternal truth, one that speaks to the heart of what it means to love and to live with passion. Romantic nature, as Savalas speaks of it, is not a fleeting fancy or a passing whim. It is a core essence, something that is ingrained within the very soul, a fire that burns from the first breath to the last. To be born with such a nature is to be touched by the divine, for romance is not merely about love between two souls, but about the beauty and depth of life itself.

In the annals of history, we see many figures who, like Savalas, were marked by this profound, romantic nature. Think of Don Juan, the legendary figure of endless passion, whose name became synonymous with unrestrained love. But his story, though often told with a certain lightness, is at its core a tragedy—a reflection of the power and complexity of romantic feelings. Don Juan loved deeply and freely, but in his quest to embrace love without boundaries, he was consumed by it, lost in the depths of his own desires. This romantic nature, though beautiful in its purity, carried with it the possibility of destruction. But still, his was a soul born to love, to seek out the beauty of human connection in a way that few others dared.

And yet, my children, to be born with such a nature is not a curse, but a blessing. Just as Socrates once said that wisdom begins with the recognition of one's ignorance, so too does romance begin with the acknowledgment that love is a force greater than ourselves. It is unknowable, ever changing, yet ever present. Telly Savalas, like the great lovers of ancient times, understood that romantic nature is not something one controls, but something one surrenders to, something that shapes their life and their destiny. To carry it "to my grave" is to commit oneself wholly to love, to walk through life not just seeking pleasure, but embracing the fullness of connection, knowing that the greatest joys often come with the deepest sacrifices.

Consider the story of Abelard and Heloise, whose love transcended time and became the stuff of legend. Their love was not only romantic but marked by intellect, devotion, and sacrifice. Abelard, a scholar of great renown, and Heloise, his student, shared a love that was fierce and uncompromising. Yet, the forces of fate and society tore them apart, leaving Abelard to spend his life in exile, while Heloise entered a convent, forever mourning the love they had lost. Their story, though tragic, is a testament to the enduring power of romance, a love that survives even the harshest trials, and remains in the hearts of those who remember it. Their story shows that romantic nature is not fleeting—it is eternal, carried on in the memory and spirit of those who truly love.

Telly Savalas, with his bold declaration, reminds us that romance is not just for the young or the fleeting moments of life. It is a force that shapes us, from our first breaths to our final days. To carry that romantic nature to the grave is to live a life marked by passion, by a deep connection to the world and its beauty. Savalas's words are not just about romantic love between two people; they speak to the broader romanticism that can infuse every aspect of life. It is about seeing the world not through the eyes of logic alone, but through the lens of the heart, feeling deeply and fully, embracing the joys and sorrows that come with love.

And so, my children, what lesson can we take from Telly Savalas and the great lovers who have come before us? It is this: romantic nature is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. It requires that we live fully, with passion, with compassion, and with courage. Romance is not just about the love between two people, but about how we approach the world itself—with a heart that is open, a soul that is free, and a spirit that is willing to embrace both the beauty and the pain of life. It is the ability to see the divine in the mundane, the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to love with a depth that transcends time.

Thus, my children, as you walk your own path, let your hearts be filled with romantic nature. Let love guide you in your relationships, in your work, and in your interactions with the world. Do not be afraid to feel deeply, to embrace the passions that stir your soul. Carry that romantic spirit with you through every season of your life, for in doing so, you will live not just a life of fleeting moments, but a life that is rich, profound, and eternally beautiful. Carry it with you, as Savalas did, to your grave, and know that in the end, it is the love we give and the love we receive that shapes our very being.