When the world seems to shine, Like you've had too much wine, that's amore

"We're happier today than we were 6 months ago" -My dear friend Sarah, speaking on her 6-month wedding anniversary

February always makes me think of love. And no, not just because of a random date that Hallmark or Shoebox, or *Insert random name of Greeting Card company* picked in order to sell more merchandise. Nope, February makes me think of love, because I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for February love....uh, not that kind of love. (SHEESH! I WAS BORN IN MARCH FOLKS!) Let me re-phrase, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my parents, meeting in February and FALLING IN LOVE.

My parents were set up on a blind date. I get different details every time I hear the story, but the gist of it was my mom's college roommate wanted to set my mom up with a friend of her boyfriend's. The evening came, and my mom refused to go. The roommate pleaded, He's downstairs waiting! You've got to come!, finally my mom gave in. They went on a 2nd date very shortly after. Apparently, my dad told my mom he was going to marry her on their 2nd date. {My dad denies this even today, however I am more prone to trust my mom's memory; my dad still runs through the whole list of his kids names and a random assortment of pet names before he gets to mine}

They met in February, got engaged in May, and were married August 30, 1969. I don't know if there is any such thing as "falling in love heritage" but I kind of like to think there is such a thing. So when every February rolls around I think, "this could be MY february;" I think no matter what month it happens it, it will happen fast, like my parents. Because when you know, you know. [or so I'm told]

38 years, 4 kids, 6 grandkids, 3-post-graduate-degrees, 20+ moves, and one parental death later, my parents are still married. Easy? I think they'd both agree heck no. Worth it? Most definitely yes. I asked my mom yesterday if they were happier today than when they got married 38 years ago. Her response: "Oh gosh yes, so much happier"

Hearing that makes me look forward to My February.