Beginnings

This is what I would have said to her had I met my wife while we were still in high school instead of when we did meet, seven years after high school. In high school I was a musician and I loved playing jazz and rock music on my slide trombone.  The words to the Chicago band's song Beginnings, express just how I would've felt had we met in high school. I really hope she would have liked it had I played Beginnings on my horn to her and sang it too. But its hard to know just what her reaction would have been. I'm guessing that her feelings would've been hard for her to put into words. Maybe she would have been...silent... silent, yet hopefully in a good way. 

The song Beginnings (you can hear by clicking here!)

Song lyrics excerpts are below. 
Songwriter: Robert Lamm

When I'm with you, it doesn't matter where we are, or what we're doing
I'm with you, that's all that matters.
Time passes much too quickly, when we're together laughing I wish I could sing it to you, oh no, I wish I could sing it to you.

Oh whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Oh whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Mostly I'm silent, mm-hm-hm-hm... Silent, la la la la la.

Never think of the right words to say.

When I kiss you, I feel a thousand different feelings
The color of chills all over my body, yeah, yeah, yeah!

And when I feel them, I quickly try to decide which one?
I should try to put into words, oh no, try to put into words.

Mostly I'm silent... Silent... La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la... Silent.

A Penny for Your Thoughts (More Cowbell)

The last time I used that expression, "A penny for your thoughts" was while romantically gazing into my 'new' girlfriend's eyes. She is now my wife. I guess what I meant then was, what are you thinking right now, about me? For an answer, she literally jumped into my arms and I never forgot that. It's a good expression I think, one that you might consider using yourself, but you may not get the same results. But that's my 'two cents' anyway. Yes, I'm an incurable romantic -I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

Getting to "I love you!"

How to get to "I love you, Je t’aime or Te amo," when you meet somebody new?  For me this went very quickly because we 'clicked' right away when we first met. For some this love click takes a little longer.  What is this click? Well I don’t mean the Xhosa South African language click. The love click is when you suddenly realize that you like a person and there is nothing platonic about it. It is both an emotional connection and an intellectual one in equal measure. 

This doesn't mean that you will necessarily fully understand what it is you're feeling at that very moment. This realization will often come later but hopefully not too late. I say it’s an emotional reaction because you can feel it happen. It’s also an intellectual process because after some reflection and you still like the whole package, then take your shot at love. Sounds analytical but it worked for me and could work for you also.  Don’t forget to share with them how you feel and maybe play this song for good measure:  Don't Walk Away From Me one of my faves by Whitney Houston.

The Saint Valentine's Day Reversal

This Valentine’s Day was different from others at least it was for me.  In a complete role reversal my wife got me a card, chocolates and a gift (pajamas) and cooked me lamb chops. In staying within our budget all I did was to give her a card and three roses. I got her a humorous card though instead of the usual syrupy red or pink wife card.  Not that there is anything wrong with them, it's just that she has a whole collection of those already. Also, I am not a fan of the cards that play music or are the size of 30 inch TV screens. My card featured a caveman carving messages in stone like, “wife hot as fire, wife smell good, wife pretty like flower, wife think good.” I think I really scored on the “wife think good” one, but really I think it was the  “wife hot as fire” one that was as the French say, le coup de grâce.  My wife gave me a syrupy red husband card but after her showering me with love and affection who cares. 

This Valentines Day seemed a little different for others too.  Last night at the store I saw many men and women buying up cards, flowers and candy at the last minute. I could feel such energy and affection in the air.  It was cool to see so many lucky people out there that have someone. Love was the reason they were out there and me too.