The Love That's Enough

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John and I started out the new year relaxing to the movie "Joyful Noise." It was full of songs, old and new. There is one song that stood out and reminded me so much of the love my parents have for each other.

Here's Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton singing "From Here to the Moon and Back."

I appreciate genuine romantic love. It's easy to think it should be something greater than it is. But it seems it's greatness is in its simplicity. I believe true romantic love is not about impressing others with romantic love, rather it's about listening to my loved one and satisfying their immediate need. What others get is an essence of what is shared with one's spouse. When it's done right, others may misinterpret a perfect moment to be so because the couple is perfect, meaning a couple who meets the ideal of the observer.

But no one is perfect, yet there is nothing wrong with appreciating perfect moments. Ideal moments crystallize as good memories and are healthy so long as they don't take on a life of their own and become the ideal all the time. Good memories are essential to good mental health, and it's important to store up the good ones that swallow the bad ones we have no control over. I guess that's the nature of forgiveness, a beautiful gift we are given to help us live life unhindered, happy and whole.

True romantic love may be sentimental, humorous, dead pan or spiritual, but it's probably a combination of so many qualities. Whatever it is, each couple has their own tailor-made romantic characteristics, and it's inspirational to watch servant-romance unfold.

My folks exemplify a couple who have loved each other this way for 58 years now this past December 14th. One of Dad's first tokens of affection to Mom was the gift of a shotgun on their first wedding anniversary. But Mom was never a hunter, so the most they got out of that gift was a good story and a good laugh! Over the years the gifts became more personal the more they got to know each other. It's a testament to their improved listening skills!

As a young girl I enjoyed watching them be appropriately affectionate with each other. They still enjoy hand-holding and walking arm in arm in public, and not just because Mom's knees are aging! I've appreciated this more over the years, and how kind physical touch says so much to each other and to those around. It's the love that's enough, that sustains when life gets rough and when others are tough on us; our loved one gives us enough!

Thanks, Mom and Dad for showing us that being together is enough and loving each other to the moon and back!