“I was only trying to protect you,” says the mind. “You’re not practical. If I didn’t intervene you would act on impulse and get hurt. Wearing your heart on your sleeve is just not safe anymore.”

“That’s ridiculous,” says the heart. “You assume feelings have no intelligence of their own. You think I just sit here moony-eyed all day, in love with the idea of love.”

“You’ve been procrastinating more than usual lately,” says the mind. “Dreams don’t pay the bills. To have a successful relationship requires a lot of hard work.”

“There you go again,” says the heart. “You think of love as a job that you clock into every day. Success has nothing to do with it. A romantic relationship isn’t a promotion.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” says the mind.

“Oh please,” says the heart. “Drop the act! How many times have you led me into situations with good and measured intentions only to wind up in hell, unhappy and alone.”

“You needed security,” said the mind. “You needed stability. Where do you think you would be if I hadn’t come along?”

“As usual, you conveniently forget that it was I who jumped first,” says the heart. “Without me, you wouldn’t have known these things. You would still be sitting there, thinking of every possible scenario until it was too late.”

“You need me,” says the mind. “I just want what’s best for you.”

“Of course you do,” says the heart. “But you need to work on trusting me. I know what I’m doing. You can’t let the past determine the future.”

“If you say so,” says the mind.

“You worry too much,” says the heart. “There’s only so much you can do to prepare for the unknown. Protection has its limits. Even you know that.”

“Fair enough,” says the mind. “But I only worry because I care about you, and I want you to be safe.”

“I know,” says the heart. “Believe me, I know.”

“Good,” says the mind.