Modern dating culture often feels shallow, leaving many people feeling disconnected or cynical. Many individuals struggle to maintain hope for a genuine connection, especially after enduring past heartbreak or betrayal. There is a deep, quiet hunger for stories that prove authentic love is still possible, even when the timing seems impossible.
Anthony R. Balista, author of Our Own Westside Love Story, provides that proof. As a US Army veteran and longtime systems engineer, Balista brings a grounded, honest perspective to the nature of romance. In this interview, he shares the story behind his memoir, the reality of finding a soulmate later in life, and why it is never too late to start over.
Q: What inspired you to share your personal love story with the world at this stage in your life?
Anthony R. Balista: I wanted the world to know how special she was. I truly feel she was the epitome of everything good God could ever put into a human, living breathing soul. One look into her eyes told me that.
Q: You mention that both you and Marie carried the weight of past betrayals before you met. How did that shared history shape the bond you eventually formed?
Anthony R. Balista: It was something that I cannot explain. It was instant the minute I touched her hand in that movie. I was actually terrified of leaving her because it was that strong of an instant feeling. I had never seen her before in my life, but I just knew!!
Q: You describe your meeting as an act of divine intervention. How do you reconcile the idea of destiny with the practical realities of daily life?
Anthony R. Balista: Because I truly believe that God does perform miracles. And she was definitely one.
Q: Your book is filled with poetic reflections about Marie. How did writing these words help you process the journey you and your wife traveled together?
Anthony R. Balista: It is difficult to explain it, but she actually would cry when she would read some of them. And cling to me silently. But we could sit and I would actually listen to her heartbeat and it would sing to me. I cannot begin to describe the feeling we shared when I would slip a poem under her pillow to find. There is no way to describe her touch. It was magical and I could hold her for hours. And sometimes we did and never got tired of it. The poems came spontaneously out of my soul.
Q: What is the most important lesson about love that you hope readers take away from your memoir?
Anthony R. Balista: Love like we had is eternal. I have a blanket on my bed. It is a half blanket, one you might use to just cozy up for a nap. It is purple and Marie always used it for naps or if she was under the weather. I have had it for years but have never washed it. Why?? Because, after all those years, her scent from it still permeates my senses when I lie there at night with it on my bed.
People, especially women, often see me on Saturdays as I walk out of the store with 3-6 bouquets of fresh cut flowers. Sometimes, they will jokingly ask, wow, are those for me?? And I then tell them that they are for my long lost love I lost 12 years ago, but every week for those long twelve years I take her fresh cut flowers, especially those yellow roses. It is always fun to watch the shocked reaction on their faces.
She and always will be “MY ETERNAL LOVE”!!
Our Own Westside Love Story is a reminder that love is not limited by age or circumstance. Through honesty and patience, Balista illustrates how two people can overcome past hurts to find a profound connection. It is a story that validates the experiences of anyone who has waited for the right person to arrive.
The search for an authentic partnership remains a fundamental part of the human experience. By choosing to share his life, Balista offers a quiet encouragement to those still looking for their own soulmate. This book serves as an invitation to keep believing, no matter how long the road may seem.
Get a copy of the book at Amazon or Barnes & Noble