Witness to Love

Today was a very eventful day! Although I've known for almost a month, today my roommate got engaged and I got to assist in this wonderful event. It all started 3 weeks ago when I went to Wichita with Laura! That evening we went to her high school's homecoming event. While she and our friend Retta were conversing with a teacher, Laura's boyfriend of 5 years asked if I would be around March 7 because he was planning on proposing that day and wanted me to help him. I said yeah I'd be glad to help in anyway I could. Over the next 3 weeks we would occasionally talk and he would throw an idea out to me or tell me his plan and what I needed to do. During this time, I continued to behave normally around Laura, joining her in pondering when the proposal might be. She was convinced it would be in NY while they were there for Spring Break. I would just laugh to myself knowing it would be sooner, and verbally agree with her!

On Thursday, David revealed his final plans for the proposal. And today I was in charge in helping them go smoothly. He had emailed me 4 letters in which he slowly revealed the plan to her. The first note told her that he had scheduled a massage for her and I in celebration of her 20th birthday, which is in a week! The second note was accompanied with a delicious lunch of chicken fettuicine alfredo, garlic mashed potatoes and her favorite brownies; all of which had been prepared by him while we were at our massages. Then I was to "find" the third note which instructed her to get ready for the day, and preferrably be ready by 2. My ridiculous way of finding the note was to say it was sitting on my bathroom counter. As ridiculous as it was, she surprisingly didn't realize my lie until later when she had a moment to think through it. As she hopped in the shower, I placed the fourth and final note on her computer, surrounded by rose petals. This final note told her about the puzzle hidden within the letters, which spelled out "Meet Me At The Campanile." After I left the last note I slipped out of our house and went to campus to meet David, where I was to be taking pictures.

She said yes! It brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with love for their love. I am so so excited for the two of them and the things that their future together will hold. Although they're young, their love for each other is beautiful and true. They are both strong and believe in what they have and believe in each other. In fact, these two people, Laura and David are my two friends who had a disagreement the other day, but were still able to work it out. The funny thing I learned today about this argument is that he was unavailable and not very sympathetic because he had been busy asking her parents for permission!

Laura, if you read this I wanted to let you know: Today is day 1,905. I love you! I wish you and David the most happiness and love two people can have! I hope to one day find a love like what you two have! Best wishes!

Words of Wisdom: Choosing a love, and then, being strong enough to live up to your commitment of love is the essence of love.

My visitors

Yesterday, as I sat outside on campus, in unusally warm weather for Kansas on the 5th of March, I was joined by two ladybugs. It was unbelievably strange but I also felt lucky. I read somewhere once that ladybugs are good lucky so I felt particularly blessed. So as I allowed the first one to crawl around on my hand I pondered what sort of luck they would bring me. A new love perhaps, or maybe I could pass the luck on to my little brother whose basketball team is one game away from State Basketball! Then as I was wondering how long the ladybug would stick around, it flew off, hopefully to bring good luck to another KU student!

I was sadden that the ladybug had left me and was also superstituous that perhaps I wouldn't have any luck after all. So there I sat in the beautiful sunlight and fixed my hair, enjoying the nature around me, and I looked down and there was another ladybug crawling towards my armpit! I almost squished it! This ladybug stuck around a little bit longer, crawling around on my pant leg and my backpack until I had to leave for class. Again I was caught thinking about what luck and good fortune could present itself to me in the future, all because of a little bug! I love the times in my life when I realize that every little moment in my life has been touched by the hand of God. These are the moments when I remember how amazing His love is and am totally in awe.

Word of Wisdom: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing in life is a miracle. Second is as though everything in life is a miracle. - Albert Einstein

Don't be afraid to dance to your own tune!

I love music! Its an expression of the heart, so many things can be communicated through the lyrics and rhythms that I cannot say myself. Or sometimes until I have heard a particular song, that makes me realize we are not alone in this world. That at this particular moment in time, someone could be feeling the exact same way we are. That's what makes a song popular I think.

Obviously artists write their songs so their fans can sing along at concerts and their words can be spread around the world. I however, often aim to ruin this magnificent plan. If I don't understand the lyrics, I sing whatever I want to. For example, "Kiss Me" by Six Pence None The Richer, says, "Lift your open hand and strike up the band." For years, I thought the lyrics were "Lift your auburn hair and strike up the band." Ooops! Now I've proudly been telling my friends that I don't know the correct lyrics to many songs.

Words of Wisdom: Dance as though no one is watching you. Sing as though no one can hear you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Live as though heaven is on earth. - William Purkey

This isn't for the weak

Love, I've discovered isn't for the faint of heart, or the one who gives up easily. It takes work. As a child I think I grew up with the notion that love is easy and that my parents relationship always worked smoothly. This was of course because adults, I think, try to always make their life seem easy to their children or atleast mine did. Now I see the struggles they go through day in and day out. But still after so many years they're still together, working to make their marriage and love work.

This morning in church, I glanced around at the many couples surrounding me and never felt more alone. I pondered why I couldn't make a relationship work. And then I realized, love takes work. For a relationship to really work, both parties must be completely committed and moving on the same track, willing to share everything that makes them who they are. And that sometimes is a scary thought to be able to open yourself up that much. I have yet to find the man who is willing to be that devoted till death do us part, though many have thought they were to that point. I also thought about how difficult it must be to transition from dating to marriage where you then must share everyday with another person.

My point is I've recently realized that love is not all I always thought it was. Perhaps its like most things in life: you get out what you put in. The more willing you are to work with someone and to reveal to them your deepest secrets, the closer your hearts will grow and the more you will get from love. It does take work but those who work hardest will be greatly rewarded. I envy those who have found someone with whom they can work towards the same goals with and inturn reap the benefits of love.

Words of Wisdom: When love beckons you, follow him though his ways are hard and steep. -Kahlil Gibran