I was reminded recently of the best explanation of love and heartache that I've ever heard.
A friend was telling me how they'd unexpectedly seen an ex-boyfriend at an outdoor summer event. They didn't interact -- my friend just glimpsed him in the crowd -- but in that moment, all the memories of their fiery affair and devastating breakup came flooding back.
My friend summed up these intense and competing emotions thusly:
"I just wanted to run over there and bash his head in!"
There was a long pause, during which the anger softened.
"And then hold him, while he died."