What’s Your Love Story?

This spring, a production crew from Beijing came to film part of their reality TV show here at Red Hill (our BnB and climbing gym). We went through quite the vetting before they decided to film here. Fortunately, lots of places were still closed and there aren’t many foreigners here so, they didn’t have to look long for something interesting! One of the questions they asked us is, “How did you two meet?”. Well, it wasn’t such a surprising question once we found out that they were filming a reality TV show whose contestants were burned by love. The point of the show was to give the participants a chance to tour the beautiful Yunnan and see that life does indeed hold hope and wonder. They spent a few weeks touring Yunnan and spent a few days in our town. We were happy to host 4 of the 6 contestants for a day of climbing at our gym. We spent two days preparing for 5-6 hours of filming and then, they were off. They came in like a dysfunctional hurricane: busy and quick but they left the gym and yard in a better state than they found it!

Anyway, talking about such a huge topic in your mother tongue is tricky enough! They asked all the normal questions (How long have you been here? How long have you been married? Do you have kids?) but per the director’s instructions, it was up to us to ask them the harder questions and steer the conversation towards love. How do you ask a complete stranger why they decided to do the show and how they’ve been scorned by love? Better yet, how do you share (in front of cameras!) information and opinions in a country that routinely reminds us not to? I know! Sing a song about it! I was able to sing and play two songs with them; one I wrote and then, a cover song. Surprisingly, sharing these songs first made it easier for me to talk about their meanings and communicate (indirectly) what our thoughts are on love. The first song was the one I wrote entitled “Leave a Light” (see link below) which is about old love (not the new they were seeking) and the promises and reminder of what a real, steady love is. The second song (“You Say” by Lauren Deigle; see video below) is a popular song and I’m sure you already have heard it and know what it’s about. But sharing this song helped me to explain that love doesn’t really come from something we have or can really give in and of ourselves. True love is a gift given by The Giver; Love incarnate and divine. When you hear this song, please remember this show and the people on it that we were able to host.

Leave a Light | Patrice Richmond (bandcamp.com)

This video was part of what I shared during our first women’s retreat so someone grabbed some short videos from their cellphones. This song now serves as a double reminder for me of that amazing weekend AND the 4 people we were able to have in our “living room”.

We were not able to take many photos (logistically and legally) but below are the other 2 I was able to take. Quite boring, really, but I enjoy them and they serve as another reminder for me that something big and true can come out of all the hard work and tears.

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