"They do not love that do not show their love..."

Today, I had every intention in writing about the first Valentines Day I had that included something other than candy hearts in my box on my desk in elementary school. Ahem. However, today has been crazy and I haven't had time to properly reflect on the parallels between that 7th grade experience of having my locker crammed to overflowing with expressions of love and devotion that this 12-year-old girl didn't have the experience nor the maturity to fully appreciate...and life today. :)

You know, go the normal DeeAura route and possibly over-analyze and go deeper than is usually necessary...  :)

But then I decided to let someone older, wiser, and far more eloquent speak for me in this case; since I am clearly a work in progress on this matter. :) And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with that (being a work in progress) I just would rather hear what he has to say than read my rantings about Taylor Swift later on and regret my words. :)

Just for one day. 

I'll rant about Taylor Swift and her inability to move on another day.

How do I love thee...

"The solutions to life's problems are always gospel solutions."

"Real love is best shown in the how. How do I love thee..."

"There are lots of limitations in all of us that we hope our sweethearts will overlook. I suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command--such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them."

"True Love blooms when we care more about another person than we do about ourselves."

"You want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril. Or, to phrase that more positively, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart."

"How should I love thee? As He does, for that way "never faileth."

I guess the real thing I wanted to say today is so much more like what Elder Holland says so beautifully. You can read his whole talk here.

Today, I love that I have an overwhelming number of opportunities to get outside my own life and my own worries and take time for other people. Being able to love and serve other people on a daily basis really does make all the difference in life!

So Happy Valentines Day...now go find a way to show someone else you love them. It's all in the HOW. :)