Laden with Thoughts

We don’t really celebrate Valentine’s day here at the Reilly household. No cards will be exchanged on Monday, and I don’t think I’m getting any flowers or chocolates. (Sure, last year Josh and I went to Boston for Valentine’s day weekend, but that was more about having a mini-vacation than anything else.) Josh hates the concept of Valentine’s day. He says it’s just a consumer-driven holiday meant to make him feel guilty about his lack of romantic abilities.

Hehe.

Speaking of non-romantic things, this afternoon we took a little trip to the mall. Why? To pick out a wedding ring for Josh. Wait… didn’t you already get married almost two years ago?? Why yes, dear reader, we did! It’s just that… Josh lost his wedding ring a few weeks ago. To quote the pushy saleslady at Zales: “I guess this is your Valentine’s day gift, huh?”

Hehehe.

So all this business about buying (second) wedding rings and celebrating Valentine’s day got me thinking about love, and marriage, and the business of “falling in love”. I don’t know how one falls in love. I don’t think there can be any specific recipe of moments or words or actions which causes love to suddenly appear between two people. All I know is that when I began to be friends with Josh, years and years ago, there was something about him that made me want to be around him all the time. Yes, he was funny and cute, and had a confidence in himself that was appealing. But all his good qualities put together couldn’t explain what it was that made me want to hug him, and hold his hand. It wasn’t long before we kissed, and I told him that I loved him. I was fifteen years old, and yet I knew it was true. I loved him.

And as it turns out, he loved me back. I don’t know how it happened, and I don’t know why it happened, but I do know this: I get to spend every day with my best friend, whom I love, and who loves me in return.

(Plus, he’s incredibly good-looking. Happy Valentine’s Day, buddy.)