Not only does true love exist, it has been incarnated in a Dutch female author, who has mastered the art of capturing it in words. Connie Palmen, a highly successful Dutch novelist and essayist, wrote ‘I.M.’ after the love of her life, Ischa Meijer, the hugely talented columnist, radio and TV personality, and above all interviewer, died on her without warning.

The book is a deeply moving tale of their love and a heartfelt tribute to Meijer, as well as a fascinating exploration of fiction and writing. As a love story, it should be eerily familiar to anyone who’s ever found a soul mate – though it’s an odd paradox that that most intimate experience, that always feel unique to oneself and one’s soul mate, can be so so accurately described by a complete stranger. The passages about writing itself, the process and philosophy of it, add a fascinating layer that makes the book even more worthwhile, particularly to any aspiring or active writer.

And the end… Let’s just say I feel like calling my fiancee* right now and promising her I’ll never suddenly die and cause her the paralyzing, numbing grief that Palmen so honestly describes in the final pages.

Of course, I can’t make that promise.

What I can do, however, is recommend you dive into your nearest bookstore and find yourself a copy of ‘I.M.’. In the meantime, I’m going to buy her other books and make sure I don’t forget to bring those on our honeymoon.

* Who, of course, gave me the book as a gift.