My book, 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,' is a gay love

Listen, O children of the future, for I shall speak to you of a truth that has resonated throughout history—a truth that spans beyond the confines of love, friendship, and even the sweet temptations of earthly pleasures. These words, spoken by Becky Albertalli, reveal the essence of her work and the deep layers within it: "My book, 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,' is a gay love story. It's also a story about friendship. Quite honestly, it's also probably a 320-page product placement for Oreos." In these words, we uncover not only the complexities of human connection, but also the sweetness of simple joys, how sometimes the most profound truths can be wrapped in the most ordinary of things, like a cookie.

Consider, O children, the nature of love and friendship in the ancient world. Achilles and Patroclus did not merely share a bond of warriors but a deep connection rooted in mutual respect, trust, and affection—an affection that transcended the realm of battle and entered the sanctum of the heart. Their bond was tested by war, and their friendship endured even in the face of death. Yet, as Becky Albertalli points out, love and friendship need not always be lofty or noble in their form. Sometimes, the greatest connections are formed not in the grand battles of life, but in the quiet moments we share with others—whether in love, in laughter, or in the simple act of sharing a cookie. Just as Achilles and Patroclus had their profound moments, Simon and his friends find their bond not just in the extraordinary, but in the ordinary moments of their lives.

In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, we find a gay love story—but it is not just a story of romantic love; it is a tale of friendship, of how we connect with others in both deep and sometimes humorous ways. The inclusion of Oreos in this story, as Albertalli humorously points out, is not simply a playful joke—it is a reflection of how the most mundane elements of life can shape the way we experience connection. The simple act of sharing Oreos becomes a metaphor for the sweetness of life, for the way that even the smallest gestures can form a bridge between hearts. Just as the Oreo is a humble creation, so too are the moments of love and friendship often built on the simplest of foundations—small, shared experiences that grow into something far greater.

The lesson, O children, is clear: love and friendship are not always grand gestures, but the small moments that define our lives. Just as Simon’s love story and friendships unfold in the everyday moments of teenage life, so too do our relationships thrive not on the dramatic, but on the simple joys—the laughter shared over a meal, the quiet conversation late at night, or even the act of passing around an Oreo. These seemingly insignificant moments are the building blocks of genuine connection, and they are the true currency of love and friendship.

In the ancient texts, we hear of the simple, everyday actions that formed the foundation of lasting relationships. David and Jonathan did not just forge a bond in the heat of battle, but in the quiet moments of mutual respect, shared laughter, and trust. Their friendship was built on the foundation of these small, everyday gestures—just as Simon's love and friendships are built not in the rare and extraordinary, but in the routine of daily life, where connection is found in honesty, vulnerability, and sometimes in a shared cookie.

So, O children of the future, let Becky Albertalli’s words guide you: do not discount the small moments in life—the ones that seem trivial or insignificant, for these are the very moments that form the backbone of true friendship and love. In your journey, love is not something to be waited for, nor is friendship something to be found only in the grandiose. It is in the simple acts of sharing, of giving of oneself to another, of finding joy in the mundane, that you will find the deepest connections. Just as Simon and his friends find their bond in their day-to-day lives, so too can you build your relationships on the simple, sweet pleasures that life offers.

In the end, remember this, O children: friendship and love do not always come in grand displays. Sometimes, they come in the form of a shared Oreo, a quiet word of comfort, or the laughter that fills the spaces between two people. Let these small moments be the foundation upon which you build your deepest connections, for in them you will find the essence of what it means to love, to be loved, and to truly connect with those around you.