The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

You have to return to February 14th in the year 269 AD to understand how Valentines day came about.

269 AD was a bad year for Christians because the Romans didn’t have much in the way of regard for followers of Christ.

The reason was because the Romans were Pantheists and so they believed in several Gods, while Christians believed in only one God.

The notion that there might only be one God made the Romans feel very uneasy because a ‘One God’ idea undermined the very existence of the Roman Empire.

So the Romans reacted to Christians with their strongest weapon - Persecution.

For years to come the local amphitheatres had plenty in the way of stock. Your average Roman could spend Sunday afternoon watching pesky Christians being mauled by lions or dismembered by burly gladiators as the Roman leaders sought to be done with them.

Emerging from this persecution was a man that every card manufacturer and rose grower should be grateful for - a pig headed individual called Valentine.

Valentine was a devout Christian and even the threat of death from the Romans wouldn’t deter him from practicing his religion.

He flaunted his beliefs in front of the Romans - even carrying out secret Christian Marriages in the dead of night - a practice forbidden by Claudius II, the Roman Emperor.

Such blatant disregard for authority had to be stamped out and so as was the custom of the day, the decision was made to put an end to Valentines life.

The date of his execution was set for February 14th.

Concidentially, February 14th was also the day that Romans honoured Juno, the Goddess of women and marriage and queen of all Gods. And Juno day was something of an event in early Rome…

Back then, chaps and lasses led very separate lives - no mixed schools or kissing behind the bicycle sheds.

However, each year in celebration of Juno, young people participated in a game where the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars.

The young bucks of the time drew a girls name from the jar and this became their partner for the Juno festival. It was commonplace for these couples to eventually get married.

The date of Valentines execution coincided with this Roman lottery.

To further add to the mystery surrounding Valentine, legend has it that while Valentine sat in prison awaiting execution he befriended the jailers daughter. How that came about is anyones guess - a jailers daughter befriending a man about to be executed…hmm…

Anyway St. Val and the jailers daughter became bosom pals, and the story goes that on the eve of his execution he sent her a farewell note that he signed ‘From Your Valentine’.

Little did he know that these three little words would be immortalised as an indication of love for centuries to come.

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Creating individual bridesmaid gift baskets is a surefire way to make sure each bridesmaid receives a very personalized gift. Each basket can be different depending on their interests, but stay within the same budget for each one. The art of making a great gift basket is to include items that stay within a theme.

Here are six bridesmaid gift basket themes that you can easily put together
yourself:

• Ahh the Spa Bridesmaid Gift Basket — For the pampered friend,
  include scented soaps, lotions, candles, facial masks, foot scrub, massage oil and
  maybe even slippers or a bathrobe.
• Food & Wine Bridesmaid Gift Basket — For the gourmand friend,
  choose red or white wines, imported cheeses, crackers, cheese knife, wine charms
  and a wine bottle opener.
• Dinner & Movie Bridesmaid Gift Basket — For the homebody friend,
  include a DVD (comedy, drama, etc., you know what she’d like), microwave popcorn,
  a bottle of soda and an assortment of candy.
• Sweet Snacks Bridesmaid Gift Basket — For the sweet tooth, include
  hard candy, a box of chocolates, gum, mints, homemade cookies and a silly mug
  with hot cocoa mix.
• Party Girl Bridesmaid Gift Basket — For the wild child, include bottles
  of hard liquor, plumping lip gloss, thong underwear, aspirin (for the next day
  hangover) and some condoms.
• The Hobbyist Bridesmaid Gift Basket — This one is perfect if your
  bridesmaid has a hobby, just work within the theme of her hobby. For the gardener,
  include seeds, garden tools and a decorative ceramic pot. For the artist, include a
  sketchbook, colored pencils or pastels and an art book for inspiration. For the chef,
  include a cookbook, a spatula and some assorted spices.

To assemble the baskets, you simply place the items in baskets with some colorful
tissue paper or shredded paper and add a gift tag or card. The entire basket can be
wrapped up in cellophane or left plain with a few ribbons tied to the handle.

You don’t need to use the same exact basket container for each bridesmaid. If you
are on a tight budget, look for baskets at thrift stores and mix and match. If you
time it just right, baskets can be purchased on clearance after Easter. Other
containers such as colorful gift bags, small bathroom garbage cans, decorative
boxes, tins and tote bags will all work nicely to hold your gift items.

Have fun coming up with bridesmaid gift basket themes!

Visit http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/bridesmaid-gifts.html for more
unique, do it yourself bridesmaid gift ideas.

Amber Dusick is the publisher of http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com where
you can find ideas and instructions for wedding crafts, invitations, programs, bridal
make-up and wedding flowers. Save money and be creative!

When you spy on your suspected cheating spouse, please make sure
you consider all the possibilities you might encounter and
whether you can handle them.

Have you considered the many situations that spying might
uncover? Can you imagine the worst thing you might find? Predict
what your response will be to the worst-case scenario. Are you
ready? Here are some specific questions to ask:

1) Do I have friends I can count on for support if I discover
the worst? Do they know I might need them? Have I told them
exactly how they might help me? Do I have the capacity to stand
back from the deep emotions and not get mired or lost in
destructive thoughts and feelings?

2) How have I handled emotional pain in the past? What if it
gets almost unbearable? If I encounter the worst possible
emotional hurt and pain, do I have a therapist I can contact
immediately and see soon to help me through the rough spots?

3) You see the signs of a cheating spouse. What will be my
strategy for what I find? Do I have a strategy for the different
scenarios? Do I have a strategy to confront or not confront my
spouse? How, when and under what circumstances will I confront
him/her?

4) What kind of strategy will I have for self-care? What will I
need to do to keep myself functioning somewhat effectively?

5) Do I have a coach or an objective someone who knows about
cheating husbands and cheating wives and who can help me develop
strategies and goals for confrontation and self-care? Someone to
keep me focused and working on these strategies and goals?

6) Do I know what kind of affair I might face? Do I know the
prognosis for that kind of affair? Have I educated myself about
affairs and what I must do to effectively resolve and move
through this crisis?

An interesting question, and there are many varied answers. There have been many books written about LOVE. Is LOVE real, is it a feeling, is it a desire, is it an act, or is it something that romance writers have invented? What is LOVE??

A friend of mine emailed a result that a group of professional people obtained when they posed this question “What does love mean?” to a group of 4 to 8 year old children. The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. Here are the some resultant quotes.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love. Rebecca-age 8.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs. Chrissy- age 6.

Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired. Terri-age 4.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is O.K. Danny-age 7.

Love is what’ in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. Bobby-age 7 [WOW].

If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate. Nikka-age 6.

During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore. Cindy-age 8

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night. Clare- age 6.

Love is when Mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.
Elaine-age 5.

You really shouldn’t say “I love you” unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget. Jessica- age 8.

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, ”Nothing, I just helped him cry”.
So as you can see from the various answers that LOVE is not just a feeling or a whim. Love is an action. Something that you do for someone that you love. Is LOVE an action? What do you see LOVE as?

I believe that LOVE is a DECISION. You make up your own mind on how you see things and you act on it. LOVE is the greatest force on this Earth. People will move mountains for it, and even die for LOVE.

There have been many songs written about LOVE and one that springs quickly to mind is, “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE” by the Beatles. The power of LOVE is Extolled and that LOVE is everything.

LOVE is many faceted, there is more than one type of love. C. S. Lewis has written about the various types of LOVE. For a small example love between husband and wife, mother and child, siblings, God’s LOVE, and many others.

LOVE the greatest force on this earth resides in every parent and child. This is why you see many parents go without some luxuries just to make sure that their children are fed and clothed. If there is any foreseeable danger the parents will put their lives on the line to protect and safe guard their loved ones. They will fight tooth and nail to defend their children in all situations no matter what the odds.

LOVE, like anything in this world needs to be fostered and kept alive in all families. All parties involved have to be vigilant. LOVE to young children is basically where you as a parent will have to get into a routine, where you and your wonderful children have some quality time together everyday. This can involve playing, reading, or just sharing about the day that you had. Doing little things that will please one another, does wonders in this environment.

Living in a loving environment will help a child to grow up confident, and have a great self esteem. You will be able to discuss issues and not have fights, for you will have respect for one another. Forgiveness will come easily and your household will be peaceful. Kids will feel secure to take risks without reprisals for they will know where they stand with their parents and how far they can go with certain actions. When LOVE is present there is no fear, children will be able to fulfill their potentials in life.

Andrew Borodin
http://www.parent-child-help.com

Everything Alison does revolves around her man Ken. She brags to everyone about Mr. Wonderful. Alison and her boyfriend attend Alison’s family reunion. She proudly talks about her relationship with the other women at the reunion. Everyone is excited about the special presentation for Alison’s grandparents. The program begins. Ken is restless and says, “Let’s leave. This is a big waste of my time.” Alison is upset and angry. They both leave.

Introduction

Like most people you are probably interested in romance and the pursuit of true love. Do you anxiously await your chocolate candies and dozen roses from your favorite beau? Many people search for that special love, maybe at too great a cost. This is what we call Fatal Love. These words may seem contradictory until you look beneath the surface of some relationships. You may be unwilling to acknowledge it in your own relationship, but can you see it in others? You can find it all around you. Do you remember his words? “If I can’ t have you, no one can.” Those words sound haunting in a relationship. All Fatal Love does not have to encompass physical retribution.

Real Love

Love is a key element in a healthy relationship. Every Sunday morning I look forward to seeing a special couple at church. Although they have been married for over 30 years, they manage to keep a gleam in their eyes for each other. You can see them holding hands or sharing flirtatious smiles. This couple has an “addictive” love. What is love? At the basic level, the dictionary defines it as “a deep, tender feeling of affection toward a person; a feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person.” When people discuss love, they also talk about affection and infatuation. These words don’t mean the same, however. Affection deals more with kind feelings toward someone, while infatuation is foolish or unreasonable passion for a short duration. Although many find love to be most intense, real love is unselfish. Many people search for genuine love; however, some find themselves settling for cheaper versions. Solid relationships are built on real love. How does love become fatal?

Fake Love

All relationships are not founded on real love. In my own surroundings of family and friends, I observe the destruction of Fatal Love. Best-selling author Stephen Covey said, “The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but who we are. And if our words and our actions come from superficial human relations techniques (the Personality Ethic) rather than from our own inner core (the Character Ethic), others will sense that duplicity…” Fatal Love represents a one-sided and poisonous relationship. It is selfish. You see the signs and weep. You see her staying with this guy (and it can be a woman) no matter how bad she is treated. She won’t leave. You wonder why–is it fear, low self-esteem, or what? You worry and hope nothing else will happen. She may complain, but you know she will never leave. You figure it’s her nature. That’s her relationship, and you wonder if it’s really Fatal Love. Where will it all end?

Real Love Test

Can you determine if it’s your own relationship? Here are some questions to ask:

1. Do you feel valued in your relationship?

2. Do you have mutual respect for each other?

3. Do you feel like you are being manipulated and controlled?

4. Do you have the vision to demand more of your relationship?

5. Can you find outside support for your relationship?

Conclusion

Real love is not perfect. In every relationship, there are hills and valleys to climb. Everyone deserves to be respected in a relationship; you shouldn’t need to settle to be happy. Having strong emotional feelings is only one part of the relationship equation; you need something more. One biblical verse sums love up the best, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.” Determine what type of relationship you have and decide what you really desire. If you can’t do it alone, get professional help. Talk with a minister or trusted friend to “get it off your chest.” True love is unselfish. Search it out. Start today and gain a better life.

Daryl and Estraletta Green provide personal advice all around the country. Daryl is the author of two books, Awakening the Talents Within and My Cup Runneth Over. They have been noted and quoted in such media organizations such as USA Today, NBC’s Alive at Five, Heaven 600, Answerline, American Urban Radio, The Bev Smith Show, The Hallerin Hill Show, Ebony Magazine, and BET’s Buy the Book. The Green’s nationally syndicated column, FamilyVision, reached 200 newspapers and over 12 million readers. For a free list of the Green’s Top Ten Life, Changing Books, you can email at their website, http://www.darylandestraletta.com

Deciding about whether you should get a divorce or not is an agonizing experience to go through. If you are asking yourself “should I get a divorce?”, you’ve been thinking about your relationship’s state for a while or an isolated incident (an example is an extramarital affair) that occurred was so terrible, that you want to just chuck it all and start over with a new life!

If you have been asking yourself “should I get a divorce?” for any length of time, you should figure out what is making you feel that way if you haven’t already. Take the time to reflect back on why you’re leaning towards divorce rather than working out your marriage problem. Once you identify the things that are making you feel like divorce is the right option, make a list of those things.

Once you make that list, go back through each item on the list that led you to asking yourself the question “should I get a divorce?”. Look at each item on the list in depth and make certain you really deem those items as valid reasons for wanting a divorce, either in and of themselves or as a part of a common theme of reasons that make up a whole set.

Once you trim the list down to include only truly ‘valid reasons’, rank each reason in order of importance. Identify 2 reasons that hold the most weight to you and that contributed most to you asking yourself “should I get a divorce?”.

After you accomplish this, decide if these reasons seem like things that can be changed for the better or if they are just flat out unrecoverable. Soul search and decide whether or not you are willing to do what it takes to try and fix the problem that is associated with these reasons.

Example: If one of your reasons for thinking about divorce is because your spouse is insanely jealous of you having friendly and/or purely plutonic relationships with members of the opposite sex, decide whether or not you are willing to socialize less with members of the opposite sex (or in a different manner) or do what it takes to ensure that your spouse understands and believes that you truly love him/her. If you aren’t willing to do either of those things (or anything else it may take to change the situation), you have some serious long-term thinking to do about whether you really want to stay married.

If you have been asking yourself “should I get a divorce?” due to one isolated incident, you should re-live that isolated incident in your mind and identify why the isolated incident led you to the way that you feel now.

List the top 5 reasons that this incident hurt you to the extent it did (thinking about divorce). Then, think about what you feel the top 5 reasons are that led to the actual incident itself.

This is especially crucial because, even though it may be one isolated incident that caused you to think about divorce as an option, the reasons that led to that isolated incident may have been present for quite a while and need to be dealt with. The point is, just because one isolated incident ‘happened’, doesn’t mean the execution of that incident is the true cause of the problem. Chances are there’s much more to it, and finding out what those things are will help you identify the true story.

If you have been asking yourself “do I want a divorce?” and haven’t prioritized why you feel that way, you aren’t ready for divorce. What you are ready for however, is to go through soul searching to get to the root of the problem.

Author of “A Practical Guide To Deciding Whether Or Not To Get A Divorce”, the eBook recommended by counselors to thier clients. Proven “Actions Items” to help you decide!
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Should I Get a Divorce

Do people tell you that you are too choosy when it comes to meeting and dating a potential romance? Would you like to find the love of your life, but you don’t want to settle for just anyone?

One of my clients got divorced several years ago. As the breakup crisis settled down and she moved into her new life, she remarked, “Thank heavens, I never have to go camping again!”

Whatever the dynamics were in her former marriage, for some reason, she felt it was her duty to participate in something she hated. Consequently, as she searches for someone new, she looks to see if a potential date has absolutely everything in common with her.

Two things have happened as a result of her rigid approach: she found a few men on the internet who met all of her criteria, but when she saw them face to face, she didn’t like them; and, she can’t find anyone else to date. She is convinced that there isn’t anyone out there for her.

I told her I knew it was hard work to go looking, but that there was someone trying to find her, as she was trying to find him. I reassured her that just because you haven’t found him yet doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist.

She continued, “Yeah, but I can’t find anyone who likes to do everything that I do.”

I told my client that she would increase the likelihood of meeting someone if she could keep an open mind and an open heart. You need to consider people who may not be the type you have always imagined.

If you are finding a short supply of people to date, consider the following:

*Think carefully before you put labels on what you want people to be.

Is the color of someone’s hair, how much they weigh, or how tall they are a non-negotiable requirement, a need, or a want? The same could be said for their age, how much money they earn, or their years of formal education. Do they have to live in your city, or can they be within a 500-mile radius, or can they be from anywhere?

*Shared interests are important, but are all of the ones that you have in mind absolute musts?

Often, just several shared interests are more than enough to give you a focus around which to relate. There is no rule written that says you must do EVERYTHING together. Let go of that self-imposed limiting thought and new doors will open for you.

Keep the net wide open when you are telling friends you’d like to meet someone.

Do not thwart the possibilities of who they can bring to you with specific criteria unless it is a totally necessary requirement. Tell your friends you would like to meet someone wonderful, and leave it at that. There is no doubt that chemistry is vital, but you and your friends can’t know if that is going to be there until you meet the person. Relationships that last have the qualities that endure, such as kindness, intelligence, honesty, patience, and vibrancy.

Accept the fact that after the age of 35, most people come with a history of relationships and other responsibilities.

You may have to stretch yourself in order to fit or accept this reality. However, if you can keep your heart open, you may find these challenges to be your new blessings.

My father used to say, “There’s a lid for every pot.” There is someone out there for you. They may not look exactly the way you thought they would, but you don’t have to go camping with them either if you don’t want to. They are waiting nevertheless.

Visit http://www.tonjaweimer.com for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single’s coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer. Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.)

My friends call me the “Divorce Poster Child”.

At the age of 20 I was married, and by 22 I had our first child. My husband was away at work every weekday, so it was just myself and the baby, from seven in the morning, until five thirty in the evening, every weekday. Eventually, my husband and I found ourselves with three children, and we were now both working in the same industry. We worked for his company, and he was still away at work every day, while I managed to work from home while taking care of the house and the kids.

We worked apart for all of our marriage, and we got to the point where, when we were together, we had very little to talk about besides the kids, and work. Eventually, there was even less to talk about, because it would seem that my ex-husband to be, was getting more and more distant. I sensed the distance, sat him down and said, “If you’re feeling like you want to be a single man, don’t go behind my back and sneak around because you want to be with someone else. Don’t make me do all of the detective work that I see those poor women on T.V. having to do before finding out that their husbands are cheating on them. If that’s what you want, then go. Let’s cut our losses now, and do it amicably.” To which he replied, “I would NEVER do that! I don’t want to be single. I love you guys. What would make you say that??”

Apparently, at about that time, my soon to be ex-husband was slowly developing younger woman syndrome, and eventually decided that he would rather be a single man. So, to make a very long story, somewhat shorter, I wasn’t about to leave the home that I raised my children in, so he left (That’s the Coles’ notes version.)

We’ve been divorced for four and a half years now. I went through many phases. The first was definitely blinding anger, followed closely (actually overlapped) by betrayal, which came before overwhelming sadness and feelings of failure, which were replaced by apprehension. Apprehension stepped aside to welcome self-pity. Major self pity. Self-pity was quickly replaced by revenge. I went on a spending spree, maxxing out his credit card twice. Each stage came with its own set of ups and downs.

I’ve learned so many things about myself because of my divorce. I have acquaintances who are going through the same things right now, who ask me for advice, and it surprises me to hear them say that they’re having the same feelings and thoughts that I had in the various stages of this journey. There were times when I thought that I was going insane. But we all go through these phases. I found that mine were therapeutic, and educational. I learned that I’m much stronger than I thought I was. I learned this when apprehension came to visit me. I learned that I have a lot more patience than I ever thought I could have. I learned that I CAN be the bigger person. I learned that as long as I take care of myself, my children do wonderfully. “The ex” is a regular visitor in our children’s lives. We’re not best friends, but I’m okay with that. We get along well enough, and once I grasped the lesson that what he did wasn’t about me, my life improved dramatically. It was his mess. It was his mental and emotional mess. There was nothing wrong with me.

I’m happy with my life, and with who I am at the end of the divorce process. I’m running my own business, and for the first time in my life I’m in complete control of every aspect of my life. If I want to eat Frosted Flakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I will without having anyone berate me for it. If I want to spend an outrageous amount of money on a pair of amazing shoes, I will (Mr. Visa loves me).

My divorce actually made me stronger. It gave me the strength to be the person that I am supposed to be. All’s wonderful in my world. I proudly bear the title “Divorce Poster Child”. I think I just might put that on a tee shirt.

Debbie Burgin is a Vancouver handbag designer, and mother of 3, who started and runs the successful handbag line at http://www.debbieburgin.com as a result of her divorce.

I created a painting of a big red heart with the word “LOVE” written in the center. Covering the heart is a wire mesh filled with many charms. This painting is titled, “The Power of Love.” When I created it I was thinking of a teaching from A Course in Miracles that talks about how we gather various trinkets to make us feel fulfilled when what we are searching for is right here inside of us.

We all have LOVE at the core of our being but over our lifetime the losses, betrayals, and disappointments have made us feel unsure about LOVE. We may have given our love to another and experienced that love being rejected, misused, and misunderstood. We have learned to place a covering over LOVE in order to protect it and keep it safe. With our love safe and secure inside of us, we expect to feel great, very satisfied, fulfilled. But, we usually feel empty.

When we keep LOVE protected for safekeeping, we also make it unavailable to our self. Feeling empty and unloved, we begin to search for trinkets – for people, titles, roles, labels, houses, awards, food, and all sorts of trinkets to help us feel full and satisfied. We shop till we drop, getting the latest new digital toy on the market. We watch reality shows of others failing at the presented challenges, making us feel stronger. There is an empty hunger that can never be fully satisfied because what we really want to feel is LOVE.

This is a Divine paradox. We are looking for the LOVE that lives right there inside of us, behind the mesh shield. The love that we are seeking lives and breaths right here in the center of our own heart presence. We can be very thankful because the power of LOVE is so potent that it has the power to tear apart that mesh shield. Once a tiny crack of love escapes, love can keep pouring out.

I look at this painting often to remind myself that LOVE is right here inside of me. LOVE lives right in the center of my heart. LOVE is my identity. LOVE is my power. LOVE is my presence. My healing journey, my spiritual journey, has been about releasing my attachment to the trinkets, to cut away the shield of protection, to allow myself to know the power of LOVE. I ask LOVE to show itself to me as I sit and breath in its essence. I ask LOVE to show me the way. Now that is the Power of LOVE.

Sharon Marquart is a gifted Certified Personal Coach, inspirational speaker and author. For more than 13 years she has share with audiences large and small. She is the author of “Working For God,” “Living With Soulful Purpose,” and “Creating A Wedding Ministry.”(http://www.creatingaweddingminsitry.com) Her coaching practice is Living at YES!(You Embracing Spirit) where she passionately supports clients in identifying mistaken beliefs and self-limiting thoughts. She coaches them in getting unstuck, setting intentions and living possibilities! Sharon teaches via tele-classes and facilitates tele-groups. Her coaching clients are nationwide and communicate via telephone appointments. Sharon is committed to bringing Metaphysical and Spiritual Truths into everyday language and applying them to everyday life experiences. http://www.Livingatyes.com

The word ‘love’ is used in many different situations. The word is defined as an extreme affection towards someone or something; however this is not the case in which it is used by most.

People tend to use the word just the same as any other. No actual meaning to it — it seems that whenever someone says ‘I love you’ they don’t actually mean it. The meaning I LOVE YOU has now shrunk to a simple I love you. It has lost its significance, its shnaz!

I hear young people saying it all the time, fourteen, fifteen year olds telling it to each other like candy. It should be something special, not something you throw out at somebody who you’ve only known a week or two.

Love is developed over a long period of time. Yes, there are those few cases of ‘love at first site‘ but this is a very rare occurrence and shouldn’t be someone’s first priority to claim their love the first moment they see them.

Love is when you would do anything to be able to see this person. It is when you jump in front of a car and push your love out of the way to save their life. It is when you can’t stand one moment without him/her. It is when you think about him/her the first moment you wake up and the last second before you sleep at night. Love can not be duplicated. Love is love and everything else.

You can not claim you love someone unless you have that special feeling deep down whenever you see that person. You feel lifted off your feet and have all your fears taken away.

The word should not be thrown around like a piece of meet, but preserved for that special someone who will not leave you for another woman or man and would do anything for you to be with them and you the same.

Save the word for the right person. Preserve the meaning of love and use it towards those who deserve it.

Gary R. Hess is the owner and writer of love poetry.