Love Muffin

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I've last written a blog. How is that possible when I have so much to say? Today I would like to discuss everyone's favorite (or not) four letter word: love.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Another blog about love, Gretchen?" Yes, my friends. I have learned a lot about this topic over the last few years, and I'd like to share this semi-new knowledge with you.

I want people to know that love doesn't show up on a white horse on Valentine's Day holding a bouquet of red roses. I mean, it CAN, but usually it doesn't. It shows up in smaller, less flashy ways. Sometimes it shows up in the form of a smile, or a slow dance, and sometimes it even takes the form of a delicious home-made breakfast muffin. There are many subtle ways that love can manifest itself in, and sometimes you just have to open your eyes to see it.

There are many different types of love. There is a kind of love that hits you automatically, like a freight train. There is best friend love, there is family love, there is snuggle-with-me-at-3 am love. There is unspoken love, and there is shout-it-from-the-rooftops love.

I love my family, not just because I'm stuck with them, but because they are awesome people. I love my friends because they are not only loads of fun, but they are also rocks to lean on when I need them most. I love people who are amazingly strong, like my high school sweetheart who is now dealing with cancer. Or like my cousin, who barely knows I exist, who just lost both parents AND her sister. Or people like my boyfriend, who works so hard to better himself every single day. And I love people who follow their dreams, no matter how crazy their dreams may seem to other people.

Be aware, however, that love doesn't always conquer all. Sometimes love itself isn't enough. Sometimes you have to kick love in the ass in order for it to see you.

Why do I feel a little less sunny now than when I started this blog? I guess love will sometimes do that to you.

I love you, my friends! Let's rock the shit out of 2010 together!