The accent — I get it. I dated a man here in the U.S. who originated from Liverpool. His family had moved here when he was quite young. He and I went to high school together but were mere acquaintances back then.

He was a fabulous violinist and violist. He played for The Minnesota Orchestra and during the 2+ years we dated, he started to craft his own violins and sell them.

Unfortunately, I soon realized I had a “talent crush” on him — but was not genuinely in love with him. Could I have been? Oh yes. But my change of heart was swift upon realizing he was a chronic alcoholic who served 2 years in a New Mexico prison for trying to strangle his ex-girlfriend. He didn’t mention *ALL* of what he had been up to since high school graduation.

But that accent… that accent was something else and perhaps the only part of him I look back fondly upon.

Bethany Nelson-Lieser

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Relax. We're all crazy. It's not a competition. I believe in equality, restorative justice and speaking our truths. Former addict, former felon, former inmate.