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Friday, February 14, 2014

“To love a person is to see all of their magic and to remind them of it when they have forgotten.” – Unknown

I decided to take advantage of Valentine’s Day and post my thoughts about love. Not about that special love in your life, the one and only match to your soul…. I’m talking about love toward not only your significant other, but your family, friends, and any other special people in your lives.

Each of us have those wonderful, treasured people we hold so dear – your significant other, mother or father, sister, brother, cousin, grandparent or other relative, or your dearest friend who knows your heart inside and out and shares the same loves, passions, interests, and humors as you do.

One of my very magical friends, Amanda
I’m sure you can think of a few people off the top of your head. (Go ahead… Think about them!) Those people spread magic throughout our lives. Their courageous spirit, sweet love, adventurous will, or tender souls touch our hearts every day with kindness, affection, and all the good and pure emotions we need to survive. That’s right – survive. These emotions aren’t just an add-on to our day or icing on the cake. They are the cake. They are what keeps us fueled and pushing forward when the road gets tough. These people care for you and would, in most cases, not think twice about stepping in front of danger for you and often times dying for you. Seriously – dying for you. That’s a pretty big example of love.

One of the biggest rocks in my life, my sister Crysta,
and her two beautiful "pebbles," Becca and Suzie,
also very magical young ladies.
What would we do without these people? They are the glue that holds our lives together and the inspiration that steers us to be the people we want to be. They are there for us in the good times and there for us when life sucks. And in turn, we have to be there for them as well.

We all dearly love our family and friends, but our loved ones (just like we do) sometimes have off days. As uplifting and graceful as these amazing folks are, they have their downtimes, too, and the toughest thing about being a friend is seeing a friend at their worst. But on the flipside, the best thing about being a friend is being there to lift them up when they fall and being with them when they fly.

That is what friendship is all about – being there unconditionally, in sun, snow, or sleet, in the best of times or the worst of times, when they need us and sometimes when they think they don’t.

My boulder, my wonderful husband, Robby
So many people celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving chocolates and flowers to their sweetie. That’s all well and good, but don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is the day of love, which means loving your husband or wife OR loving those other important people that care for you just as much.

And here’s the other kicker – Valentine’s Day is just one day. Remember to love the other 364 days of the year, too. We should remember to show our loved ones everyday how much we cherish them.

Okay, so occasionally our loved ones can rake our nerves – when mom reminds you to “call me when you leave, and call me when you get there, and call me when you’re on your way, but don’t use your cell phone while driving,” or when a sibling steals your favorite white sweater only to spill chocolate milk on it, or when tired minds and tight nerves explode between you and a friend. When these things happen, we have to remind ourselves that life and emotions sometimes get the best of us, but in the end, in our hearts, we know who our friends are and how much they care for us.

Our Stephenson family rock, my grandmother Dot,
with another very strong figure in my life, cousin Dave.
In a friendship or relationship, it is up to both parties to help each other through life. I don’t know that we can have just one significant other. I think one needs many different loved ones to survive life. It’s kind of like having a toolbox full of different tools – one can’t use a wrench to hammer a nail. It just wouldn’t work right. The same is true for friends – different friends have different specialties. So keep all your friends close and remind them (and yourself) everyday how special they are. Never take the magic they bring to your life for granted. You truly and seriously never know when that magic could be gone. And always be ready, willing, and able to remind them how magical they are when life gets them down.

(P.S. I would put a picture of my dear, sweet mother on this blog except that she hates pictures of herself, so... Happy Valentine's Day, mom. I didn't post your picture on the blog.) :)

Here’s to the special people who make our lives and the world go round!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!! Make everyday Valentine’s Day. Spread the love and be an encouraging and uplifting force in the lives of those you love!

These aren't all of my clogging buddies, but a good chunk of them, and they're definitely a good support system!
Love 'em!!


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