This weekend, a holiday occurs that elicits the most extreme of actions from a good portion of our nation. Nearly every person, in some way, will see the red balloons, the pink and white window decor, the heart decorations, the television spots, the merchandise…ad nauseum. Some will rush out to buy flowers, cards, chocolate, jewelry-anything they can to drain their wallet at the hope that their significant other will feel more special on this Hallmark-created day than they did the day before. In a depressing flip-side, others will feel more lonely than they have all year, with the realization that they have no one to spend this over-hyped, over-done day with. Today, readers, I encourage you to play neither party.
I have always quoted Valentine’s Day to be my favorite holiday of the entire year. I consider myself to be a romantic, so it make sense that the one day out of the year dedicated to celebrating love would be my favorite. At this point, though, the idea that I ever even mentioned that I liked the day is slightly ironic, if not laughable. You see, in order to appreciate a day celebrating a particular emotion, it would do one well to actually know that emotion, experience that emotion, take note of that emotion. It would seem, then, that I was remarkably unprepared to celebrate this “day of love” in the past; I never knew what love was.
At this point, you are getting nauseated. Not by the visions of chalk-flavored candy hearts dancing in circles above a plethora of red and white doilies and roses that I have thus far created in your mind, but because you think you see what’s coming. You think I’m going to give 15-year-old high school girls a run for their money in the amount of time I am going to spend now talking about my boyfriend. Think again.
Though love has always existed in my life, I never took note, never to the extent that I have in recent times. Love is so many things, and can be felt so many ways. Love can just as easily exist between two friends as passionately as it does between two lovers, just in different forms, and expressed in different ways. It is, to it’s core, the most intruiging, most versatile emotion to exist on this earth. Looking back on this past year, I realize that I have never experienced such an abundance of love in my life. I have seen love, felt love, had love, lost love, and been in love. This leads me to the question, what is love? I can only answer with experience.
Love is two parents supporting their daughter’s very random move to a seemingly foreign place, and encouraging her in every step of the way.
Love is a young, single father painting his precious daughter’s fingernails weekly, and watching the same silly movies over and over just to see her smile.
Love is two friends who met 16 years ago in a sandbox, willing to be there for the other at a moment’s notice, regardless of the reason.
Love is two parents toiling every day physically, mentally, and emotionally to watch the success of their daughter’s magazine business unfold, and being all the more proud of her every day.
Love is a friend that is there no matter how poorly situations were handled in the past, or what country he’s in.
Love is a family that takes their younger, new neighbor under their wing-feeding her great meals when she works long days, introducing her to the neighborhood, and just being there to listen.
Love is two adults who love a girl so much, she could practically be their daughter-and who take steps to ensure she is on the right path and being held accountable.
Love is a man who waited patiently for the girl he fell for, from the moment he met her-regardless of who she was seeing or how long it took her to come around.
On that note, love is Maplewood Avenue.
Love is a mother who collects change for months, saving up for something special for herself, only to give it to her daughter who she hears is having difficulties making ends meet.
Love is the feeling in the room at a family reunion.
Love is a young couple, just coming out of financial struggles, sending grocery money to the woman’s younger sister to ensure she eats well.
Love is the essence of God.
Love is a boyfriend who encourages his girlfriend to travel thousands of miles away from him to fulfill lifelong dreams of hers.
Love is two friends who schedule all their classes together, hang out together, and never get sick of each other.
Love is an elderly man who still calls his wife his “beautiful princess”.
Love is a squeal, a belly laugh, a run, and a hug from a handsome six year old boy upon seeing his “sister” after a long time away.
Love is two people, married for 27 years, organizing a garage together, only to stop when one of their songs comes on…to dance.
Love is many things, it can come in many forms. Thank you, all of you, for showing me what love is this past year. I’ve never felt my heart swell so much as I have in the past 365 days. Here’s to love, may all of you be showered with love from your friends, families, and significant others. I love you guys.
