Valentine Love

There have been many kinds of love in my life…all have had a purpose but only a few are everlasting…transcending time, events and even death

That is not what is typically celebrated on Valentines Day…this day is reserved for love of the most fleeting kind- Valentine Love. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for that in our lives -- it is the love we most fondly remember, the love we search for in our youth and of course we can't forget it is also the love that can turn us bitter the quickest.

The first Valentine Love I had was Pete, I was 13. I quickly discovered that that loving someone was difficult, time consuming, and painful. It was a love that i would come to realize wasn’t really that at all

This was a confusing kind of love

The first Valentine Love as an adult was JP; I was irrational and impetuous with him. This union left a lasting mark on my heart. Relationships that are forged in such a quick burning way often burn out as quickly .

This was the love I’ve looked at through rose colored glasses

The first time I fell in love with a dog was Henry. I hadn't had children yet so I didn't have an understanding of maternal love but even so, I was experiencing it with the little ball of black fur. He relied on me to protect him, to feed him, to guide him and in return there was an endless amount of love, respect, and affection coming back at me! I couldn't ask for anything more than that - if more people realized the capacity of an animal to give that to us we would surely celebrate Dog Day over Valentines Day. When I lost Henry, the love didn't fade at all. It is as vibrant today as the day I fell in love with him so many years ago.

This was a love to be addicted to

The first time I fell in love as a mother I was pregnant with my oldest. I was surprised by the relationship that I had with this child I had not yet met- I fiercely protected my unborn baby with every choice that I made during that time. When I held him the first time, and he looked in my eyes I knew that this sort of love was immeasurable and would not be extinguished for all of the problems that this child and I may face together or in each other…I would love him for always. Twice more I would be blessed this way.

This is a love that gives me life each day

Then there is the love of my father; a love given to me unconditionally, imperfectly and unlimitedly. He was my biggest critic and my biggest fan. I loved him more as the years progressed, because I knew that I would lose him in the end…my emotions aged and grew deeper with each passing year. My patience, tolerance and forgiveness were well sharpened with this love. .

This is a love important enough to teach my children about

I see now that there is no limit of places in the heart…I can love over and over and over and there will always be room for one more. I am so grateful of that.

Finally the love of a soul mate, it will be strong and beautiful. It will stand up to the constant beating of the the daily surf. This love will look out at kids, animals, and the rest of the world and feel pleased that it is not gazing at that vision alone - there will be nothing more satisfying than intertwining my hand with a best friend and lover, sharing a common view of our horizon.

Valentine Love is not much when compared to the other loves possible in our life which have given me a legacy to pass on to those I care most about....

Enjoy all the loves of your life whatever they may be!