On Valentine’s Day, I like to wish people a Happy Love and Friendship Day. For me, the day is about celebrating love in all relationships, and the greeting is inclusive of them all, not just romantic love. In addition, no one needs to be reminded they’re not in a romantic relationship if that happens to be the case, yet they have that yearning. Like moi.

Leo Buscaglia said, “When love is accompanied with deep intimacy, it raises us to the highest level of human experience.” Who wouldn’t want that?! It is such a time of vibrancy, discovery, adventure, and connection. Spirit feels particularly present; Love is in this space.

“Real love is identifiable by the way it makes us feel. Love should feel good. There is a peaceful quality to an authentic experience of love that penetrates to our core, touching a part of ourselves that has always been there. True love activates this inner being, filling us with warmth and light. An authentic experience of love does not ask us to look a certain way, drive a certain car, or have a certain job. It takes us as we are, no changes required. When people truly love us, their love for us awakens our love for ourselves. They remind us that what we seek outside of ourselves is a mirror image of the lover within. In this way, true love never makes us feel needy or lacking or anxious. Instead, true love empowers us with its implicit message that we are, always have been, and always will be, made of love.”

– “Daily Om, February 14, 2022”

I’ve been deeply in love and I have experienced what is described below. It was a joyous time no matter what my partner and I were actively engaged in. Simply being in one another’s presence was enough. It was Home.

“Opening your heart and soul for another person to enter is an intimate act of loving trust. The aliveness that comes from the vulnerability of not knowing where you are headed together brings you so vibrantly present that time disappears.
“…You enter into a time warp where days seem like moments and moments are eternal. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before you know it, it’s next year.
“… The merging of two souls dissolves the boundaries of the mortal realm, opening the gates to the celestial delights. It is a connection beyond words and a journey that’s out of this world. You experience your beauty being reflected back to you from a mirror of another loving soul.”

– “Science of Mind Magazine,” February 14, 2022

It takes courage to open one’s heart fully to someone else, risking being hurt. It requires authenticity, honesty, and trust to fully experience true love. But oh, the experience is rich and rewarding (even when challenges arise). I’m up for it!

Happy Love Day, every day!