What ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” Taught Me About Love

“Deep in my heart, the answer it was in me….”-Lauryn Hill

I have loved Lauryn Hill for what has felt like most of my life. The first time I heard her sing “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” with Tanya Blount in Sister Act 2, I knew that she was something special.  Fast forward to the first Fugee’s albumBlunted on Reality and I discovered that not only could “Rita” sing, but her name was Lauryn and she had an ill flow. While I may not have given a second thought to the first album, I couldn’t ignore her simply haunting delivery on The Score. Whether she was spitting greatness on “How Many Mics” or singing her heart out on her rendition of Roberta Flack’s classic “Killing Me Softly,” Lauryn Hill became the musical love of my young teenage life.

During the Fall of my senior year of high school, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped and I rushed to the now defunct Blockbuster Music to get it. I didn’t think it was possible for her to be any greater than she already was, but that album made her a musical icon. Although I wasn’t quite sure what love was at the time, I knew that if it felt anything like the emotions that were dripping off of her every word …I wanted to feel every second of it. While I sang along and ran scratches through two copies of the CD, it would take becoming a grown woman to really understand exactly what The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill meant.

Twelve years later, with a series of reclusive behavior, a publically debated long-term relationship with Rohan Marley (someone should have warned her about that Marley charm), six children, an Unplugged album, and a few miscellaneous appearances on movie soundtracks; Ms. Hill has rejoined the living. My eternal flame that has been burning for her is now something more like fireworks as I anxiously await whatever greatness she bestows upon us. I also once again find myself greedily devouring the Miseducation album.

Here are the lessons that The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album taught me about love and relationships:

“The Ex-Factor”- “Tell me who I have to be to get some reciprocity.”

“When It Hurts So Bad”- “But how could this be love that made me feel so bad.”

“I Used to Love Him”- “Thought what I wanted, was something I needed.”

It is possible to love someone more than they love you and for that to leave you confused, hurt, and stuck because you’re drowning in it. Love can consume you and blind you to your reality, and when you look up the person you have spent all of that time loving is nowhere to save you. Sometimes what we want isn’t what we really need in our lives. Love without action is simply another four letter word and you have to know when to walk away from a mentally, emotionally, and physically unhealthy love.

“Nothing Even Matters”-“Your love makes me feel 10 ft. tall…without it I go through withdrawal.”

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”-“At long last love has arrived, and I thank God I’m alive.”

“Tell Him”- “Now I may have faith to make mountains fall, but if I lack love then I am nothing at all.”

Love in its purest form is amazing. Love happens despite our flaws and imperfections. It is something like a perfect and radiant light.  Love is bigger than words or anyone of us. We are all worthy and deserve to experience that type of love. Without love, life is simply…meaningless and borderline impossible.

Welcome back Lauryn.