Love Story...

I love movies about love and relationships. Relationships between couples, friends, whatever. Growing up, I remember watching Pretty Woman and thinking how grand and romantic the Richard Gere character was - roses, limo, after a week in a penthouse suite... Wow, right?

We're so trained to look for the grand gestures when it comes to love. Look at TV with all the diamond ads - "How will you show her how much she means to you?" If your love is true, then you will commit yourself to a massive economic strain. I feel like that was what I was programmed to believe, but as I go through life, I've found the most love in the smallest things.

My friend is fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma right now. She finished her first round of chemo last week. At the appointment, the nurse told her that she should expect to start losing her hair soon, perhaps even within the day.

And sure enough, just a couple of days later, my beautiful, strong, amazing friend stood in my kitchen and said, "It started. I'm shedding like the dog." Even though she chose to make a joke about it (which is totally what I would do, too), I know that this is the hardest thing for her to say outloud.

Here is where the moment came in - It was her husband, standing next to her as she lowered her head. He reached out and gently touched her elbow. Then he smiled at his wife.

In the silence of that brief moment, I saw the volumes of love he has for her. And it was just a second. I was moved beyond explanation, and remain such.

This is where we find true love. It isn't in the house full of flowers, or the car with the bow on top, or the jewelry (none of which would be kicked out of bed, by the way...), I think it's in that small moment when you know you have a partner. When you don't need the words to speak for you - I will catch you if you fall. I will be your strength when you don't have it. I am here for you, sunshine or rain. We will make it through together. What can be more romantic than that?

And I have to add what endears me even more to these two - the conversation went on and he finished it with, "Well, I guess I'll be vacuuming more than every other day now."

Keep laughing through it all, my friends!