“Love isn’t finding a perfect person. It’s seeing an imperfect person perfectly.”
~ Sam Keen
This is Chyanne and David. They are the perfect example of the simplicity of love. Chyanne who is David’s grandaughter gave the perfect answer to his “I love you”, her response, “I know you do because you bring me surprises and shrimp!”
David’s takeaway from Chyanne’s response was this, “In all of my 50 some years, I finally know what love really is.”
Could love be any more simple?
We all want to be loved and we long to know why we are loved but sometimes the simplicity of that love is what means the most. Whether it’s the love of a child, a parent, a partner, a friend or whoever you love in your life, we want it to be simple and to the point. But most of all we want to know why we are loved.
My friend Lisa gave me the most wonderful gift for Christmas, a beautifully framed print with the words “I love you because…..” in raised lettering on the print itself. Using the attached marker, you list your reasons of why you love someone on the glass, erasing and changing your reasons as often as you wish. Since that picture has been in our bedroom, my husband and I have taken our turns writing our reasons and I’m amazed at what will touch you the most. It’s not the profound and lengthy pledges of love but the simple and most heartfelt.
On Valentine’s Day it read,” You share my insanity for Tarheel basketball and just because.” Simple, powerful and the best gift ever!
Do you make it a habit to share those simple sentiments with the people you love?
Love is one of those emotions that can have so much baggage attached that you can quickly lose the reasons of why you love someone. There can also be conditions such as, “I will love you if or I will love you when” and this dilutes the simplicity of that love. We humans are very complicated beings and if something is not complex then we have trouble deeming it worthy of our attention. We crave those really complicated and profound declaration of love (or we think we do) and if we can’t give them in return then we don’t feel we measure up.
Who wants to follow the infamous “You complete me” line with a “I love you just because?” Someone who speaks from the simplicity of their heart and soul. Words are just words without feeling and trust me you can feel the difference.
So what holds you back from making simple declarations of love? Or just making sure that the people around you know how you feel?
Break down those barriers and useless reasons and……
Write a note and tell someone how much they mean to you. Keep it simple and give true heartfelt reasons.
Make sure you say, “I love you” often and to all of the people in your life.
If you have trouble saying what you feel, use action instead. Flowers, a lunch or coffee date, a hug or kiss, an afternoon spent together, a movie, etc.
Remember small things mean just as much as loud pronouncements.
I hope you find a way to make sure everyone in your life knows they are loved by you! Start by sharing the love of this post with someone in your life.
I love all of you, my wonderful community, for just being you and would love to hear your comments on love.
Gay, wanted to share an update! Since you had this article published in a magazine, of course David carries it around with him to share with his friends. One of his friends, Andy, is a person David often brings shrimp back from the coast for, and fatback that David has cured (can you say healthy??) .They have a sort of exchange program going, as Andy has a store….anyway, after reading the article Andy said, ” Well David, that ain’t nothing, I love you cause you bring shrimp and fatback to me!! Clearly, it wouldn’t be as precious a picture to see David and 200 lb. Andy on the back of a pick-up truck!! just thought I’d share!
Oh I love the fact that he carries this article around with him, tell him I’m honored that he liked it so much. And have to agree, don’t think Andy can compete with that cute girl! Sorry Andy.