The Romantic

I love watching sappy Hallmark Channel movies.  They give you the typical love story: near haphazard meet cue, an unassuming, yet ever so sweet and commonly beautiful woman meets a dashing stranger.  The guy sweeps the woman off her feet, and the woman helps him see life more full of beauty and possibility.  She helps him be his best self, and he makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.  They have some unimportant, yet slightly overly dramatic plot of misunderstanding, and then, as things clear up, they realize they were meant for each other.  There's a grand gesture and declaration of love, and the movie ends with the two kissing under the stars, or sun, or mistletoe (Hallmark does Christmas love story movies the best).

I love every bit of it.  It's nowhere near real, but if we aren't given tokens of hope for even love, well, what else is there?  

I would indeed describe myself as a hopeful romantic (you know, rather than hopeless).  I just happen to think that you can find someone with whom you can laugh and cry, unabashedly and fully as yourself.  If ever you're at your best and most authentic self, it's because of the impact that person has on your life.  You enjoy some of the same things and love spending time together.  You engage each other on all levels, and you are energized by their presence, not drained.  And all in all, you share the same values and can align on your outlook on life and where you want to go.  Those elements will show up in many different ways depending on the people involved, but I think that's what true connections are all about.

As Valentine's Day approaches, we can ignore it, bemoan it, celebrate it, or make fun of it, but I'm happy to use it as a reminder to celebrate love.  In all forms.  Certainly romantic love is on the surface, as far as what form of love to celebrate, and I'm okay with that.  I like the reminder that something that is one of my heart's desires, has every chance to happen.  I'll use the day to be more open with my heart, more giving of my true self, and with more anticipation of love that's undoubtedly on the way.

Some may consider it sappy, delusional, or maybe even pathetic.  I have no intention of entertaining thoughts of others' negative considerations.  Love is a positive emotion and action.  And that's what I intend to celebrate.