Luv rules…

Friday is Valentine’s Day!  There’s still time to do something special for that special person.

OK – so I can’t take credit for creating this awesome display of love for my love.  That was someone else’s awesome display along a roadside in western Illinois farming country.  I think my wife will give me credit for a little photo-plagiarism because I know she knows:

Love rules without rules.

Italian Proverb

Who says men are oblivious and have no powers of observation?  OK – so a billboard is hard to miss.  Observing that man’s demonstration of love reminds us all that Friday, no assumptions; no taking her for granted; no obliviousness; no subtleties.  On Valentine’s Day, we must shout our love for our love from the top of the mountains!  Of course, we hope our women do the same for the men in their lives:

You know “That Look” women get when they want sex?  Me neither.

Steve Martin

Friday may be a special day in my marriage, but our relationship over the years has taken constant care (and patience).  Thankfully, my wife has patience:

Patience strengthens the spirit,

   sweetens the temper,

      stifles anger,

    extinguishes envy,

  subdues pride,

bridles the tongue,

   restrains the hand,

      and tramples upon temptation.

George Horne

It’s easier to be patient with the little things, I suppose.   But when times get tough, the most convenient person to argue with and take our frustrations out on is often our partner, true?

I don’t know; are meaningful, loving partnerships easier or harder to find these days?  With everything racing at a break-neck pace, who’s responsible for maintaining a healthy, loving, long-lasting relationship?  Here’s a view from Wyatt Webb:

You are 100 percent responsible for 50 percent of any relationship.

Carrying more than ½ the load you say?  Yep – you and my wife, too.

Thankfully, my wife and I are still in love after all of these years.  We will do something quiet this Valentine’s Day; we enjoy our quiet time together - always have. 

Like you, our conversations will span a variety of topics; children; friends; happy memories; love.  Of course, we will also synchronize our calendars; debate upcoming projects; disagree on priorities; and almost always review our finances.  Yuck!  Necessary I suppose, but not very romantic.

Yet this Valentine’s Day I will be reminded:

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Mignon McLaughlin

So here’s to Valentine’s Day.  May you enjoy it with someone special in your life.  If you’re lucky enough to be in love, may you cherish your quiet time together; sharing common interests; being patient with life’s challenges; relishing the restorative results of romance.

And if you’re with someone but you’re not yet sure if he or she is “the one”, don’t worry – trust your gut feeling: 

Love is not finding someone you can live with; it’s finding someone you cannot live without.

Rafael Ortiz

Love rules without rules on Valentine’s Day – and every day.

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.