If he hollers, let him go.

Sure, I’ll just nonchalantly go catch a wild tiger. By its toe nonetheless! This nursery rhyme must have a deeper meaning. Otherwise, it’s just too damn impractical. That’s what got me thinking...

This week, I had a conversation with a friend about how to actually catch a tiger by its foot phalange. Yes, I have weird, but awesome, friends.

So here’s how I picture reeling in the next jungle cat I encounter. The plan is elaborate, yet simple. It’s intricate, yet direct. I’m convinced it’ll work, but also glad that my city of Boston isn’t a natural tiger habitat. The scheme is not exactly foolproof just yet. I’d appreciate your feedback in the comments area. Together, we can toe-capture Beast from the Disney movie. Separate, we will fail and continue to believe that teapots can talk.

This little baby jingle has been ingrained in my head since I was about three years old. I can’t ring it out. It’s stuck in there. Kinda like a tiger would be if I could ever figure out a way to catch one. I finally realize now that catching an overgrown, striped sabertooth kitten is impossible. I’ve all but given up on bringing the nursery rhyme to life. So instead of moping around knowing that I’ll never have a wild tiger as a pet, I’ve started to rethink the meaning behind the tune. I think it has a lot to do with love. I know, I know. Just listen.

Eenie, meenie, minie mo. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go.

Eenie, meanie, minie mo.

To me, it means that finding the right person takes time. It’s a lifetime process. This eternal search for comfort is as true for friendship as it is for courtship.

My first love didn’t end up being my last love...eenie.

I haven’t yet had a second love...could be meanie, could be minie.

Maybe my third love will be a charm. Literally. Her name could even be ‘mo’. Honestly, whatever works.

Catch a tiger by the toe.

This is what finding love feels like. I’ve got the tiger. Now I’m holding on for dear life. Not only because if I let it go, the tiger will turn around and use its razor-sharp teeth to remove my left arm. I’m holding on because it’s awesome to think that someone could make me feel so attached (unlike my left arm...damn tiger). It’s more scary than it is awesome though. I really am hanging on by a toe. Until I get hold of the foot, I’m going to eventually find myself in freefall.

Freefall, in this case, means heartbreak. I’ve been there.

If he hollers, let him go.

I’ve found love. I’ve fallen into it. I’ve gotten lost in it. And despite the eventual freefall, I never regretted it.

Like in many relationships, things went south. Actually, she went west.

She hollered, I let her go. She came back. She hollered again. I let her go.

Sometimes, things are just not meant to be. Kind of like catching a tiger by the toe.

I’m not worried. I’ve realized that finding love isn’t really about catching anything. It’s about holding it.