This second installment in the Valentine Trilogy is primarily about solid, long-term, committed relationships. Last year I issued the disclaimer that my knowledge is limited primarily to ‘trial and error’ affairs of the heart. There were also the times when destiny parted what might have been. So any wisdom comes from the reference point of my years of observation.

This Valentine’s Day, my romance has lasted well over a year. That duration is only enough to say we’re comfortable, and planning. I love and respect her – more than anyone I’ve ever known. She is magnificent. And she is my smiling enchantress. (Smiling Enchantress is the name of my Valentine’s Day poem for 2014. I’ll be posting it on the 14th.)

I honor the couples who have endured. Through it all, they’ve matched up; they maintained their love; and romance has prospered in their care. The couples forging durable relationships  have my admiration. They are an inspiration.

The Bob Dylan lyrics are a gentle reminder of the tenderness required to make it through the trail. This stanza – well, it says it more eloquently than I might attempt to describe it:

I’ll remember you
At the end of the trail
I had so much left to do
I had so little time to fail
There’s some people that
You don’t forget
Even though you’ve only seen’m
One time or two
When the Roses fade
And I’m in the shade
I’ll remember you.
~ Bob Dylan

Memories stack up as we age. I still don’t know how love is jump-started. Is it elevated endorphins? Is it some fortuitous event? I wouldn’t want to guess.

Falling in love seems so much more effortlessly achieved than continuing the day-to-day refurbishing of emotion. Kindling and rekindling its magic is a tricky part. What secrets for success do ‘connected duos’ have? Married, partnered, in relationships for decades – melded together with expectations of the long haul. They believe in the important prospect of love forever.

Adoring relationship seem to know about the key ingredient of fun and laugher. Humor goes perfectly with love. They create a chain of cherished memories – lovely, to be sure. It is sculpting the divine out of the promise to never renounce loyalty. It is the sharing of happiness and hardship. It is an uplifting story of the intertwined soul’s endurance. It is being unable to do without one another.

The cherishing – well, there must be unspoken guidelines of love. In all cases, the couples work at protecting their relationship. That requires maintaining, tweaking, diligence, and cooperation.

My personal belief – honoring and respecting one another is paramount. Subheadings might be: honesty, kindness, humor, whimsy, passion, dignity, trust, and loyalty. In short, signifying the relationship. Lifting it to the highest altar – the one about ‘plain ole’ consideration.

These, and many more, are qualities that seemed seared into each heart as couples wreath their lives together. Two people have entrusted everything. They’ve invested precious life itself. Growing love as they go. With time assisting them in their creation. They get it right. They keep one another warm.

So, for couples achieving a sturdy, well-aged, and wonderful relationship, I commend you all. And I aspire to have achieve that – now that I’ve found the finest woman I’ve ever known.

There’s some people that you don’t forget…

These marvelous couples haven’t skimped on their true and abiding emotions. I celebrate this Valentine’s Day with their romances in mind. I thank them for giving us a lesson – and an example.

Happy Valentine’s month to all ‘lifer’ couples. And, to all who aspire to be a part of permanent love. As I do.

Thank you for reading this, I hope you’ll join me when I blog the final installment of my Valentine Trilogy. Part 3: It was You who Understood – will be published on Valentine’s Day.

Copyright: Kieran York

Happy Valentine’s Day. J-SW&LH.YTT.WL.K
ps – We Belong to One Another!

Please check out my poetry in the latest, best-selling Sappho’s’ Corner Poetry Series: Roses Read, Volume 3 and Wet Violets, Volume 2. A wonderful Valentine gift idea is giving your loved one ROSES READ. Edited by Beth Mitchum, the books are available through http://ultravioletlove.com and Amazon. Watch for Volume 4 – Delectable Daisies.

York’s latest book is Careful Flowers. If you’re interested in romantic fiction, please consider Appointment with a Smile by Kieran York, Lambda Literary Award Finalist in 2013. Books are available through www.bluefeatherbooks.com. Or order through Bella Book Distribution for books or e-books. Books and Kindle e-books are also available through Amazon.