Love is not blind

Many years ago when I was a teen, I heard a seasoned adult talking about a young couple. “Look at them smiling at each other,” he began. “They prove that love is blind.”

I was a bit dumb-founded; the bride was beautiful, and the groom was handsome, not as handsome as I was, to be sure, but handsome in every sense of the word. How could love have blinded them?

Over the years, I thought about that comment many times, especially if I was dating a girl others thought was too heavy, too dull, too silly, or in some other way less than perfect.  I knew I failed most tests of beauty myself, and felt I was living the words of my old elder. This girl must be blind to date some pimply faced, skinny guy like me.

Then I met a beautiful, smart, and wonderful woman. She was everything I could ever have hoped for. I knew then, love was blind because this most elegant girl loved me! Less than six months later we married.

Now, after more than half a century, I realize that love is not blind. She is still beautiful, smart and wonderful; my pimples are gone and I’m no longer skinny, but we share a love in spite of the fact that neither of us is perfect.

Love is not blind, but love concentrates on the good we see in others, and makes it shines so brightly we cannot see their faults. And when we keep our eyes on the good, the beautiful, the uplifting, the gifts we have in knowing each other and sharing life with them, love continues to out shine the negative.

Keep on thinking about all the good things in your life, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day and a great new year!