A Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Two songs came into mind as I thought about the day- Valentine's Day-2007. First was the classic from Queen:

This thing called love I just can't handle it
This thing called love I must get round to it
I ain't ready
Crazy little thing called love

I gotta be cool, relax, get hip
And get on my track's
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motorbike
Until I'm ready
Crazy little thing called love
--Freddie Mercury and Queen

Love is a crazy thing. I think it was M. Scott Peck who said something about it in his book, The Road Less Traveled. He said he felt that love is what happens so we can connect with another person and move into a relationship. (That was greatly paraphrased!) Relationships are hard and by falling head-over-heels in love, a highly irrational thing, you get hooked. Maybe at that point it's all about the continuation of the species. Riding your motorbike until your ready for it may sound like a good idea at the time, but I have a hunch that when it happens you'll jump off the bike and go running.

But, thank God, it doesn't stop there. It moves from infatuation-type love to something that is far more profound. In fact it may be the closest thing to agape-like love we can experience personally this side of the Kingdom. Another song came to mind speaks volumes about that kind of love- the eternal love that can grow between two people over time. It is on the American V album by Johnny Cash, but it has been around for a while.

We're the best partners this world's ever seen,
Together as close as can be.
But sometimes it's hard to find time in between,
To tell you what you mean to me.

You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're tired, rest your head on my arm.
Rose of my heart.

So hard times or easy times, what do I care,
There's nothing I'd change if I could.
The tears and the laughter are things that we share,
Your hand in mine makes it good.

You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're cold, let my love make you warm.
Rose of my heart.

You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're cold, let my love make you warm.
Rose of my heart.
--Hugh Moffatt (Performed by Johnny Cash and others)

They say there are two things that you need to do to have a long married life. One is don't divorce. The other is don't die. I would add a third. Let that crazy little thing called love grow away from head-over-heels and don't expect the infatuation to stay the same. Let it grow deep into who you are.

All of a sudden it isn't such a crazy, little thing anymore. It may even be the center of your souls. I know it has made my life more soulful and for that, on this Valentine's Day, I am deeply grateful.