The image of endless love

Feb. 10, 2005
By Wendy Heithoff
Editor in Chief

It’s hard to miss the fact that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Stores have hauled out heart picture frames, stuffed animals and packages of chocolates. Countdowns have appeared in stores reminding shoppers that there are only a few shopping days left until that romantic holiday. And although most shoppers believe that love cannot be bought, countless individuals run out to the store in order to buy flowers, jewelry and more for that “special someone.”

It’s true that those items will bring temporary happiness, or at least ensure that no one will be in the doghouse, but no amount of flowers and candy can ensure endless love for any couple this Valentine’s Day.

Endless love, what a concept. It is something that people think, sing and talk about, but does it really exist? We live in a world where the divorce rate is close to 50 percent, which means half of the people who chose to start a life together, decide at a later time that it wasn’t the person or life they had hoped for. So in a world like ours, where can people see an image of endless love?

This symbol does exist, but I doubt it would sell many roses. Endless love is the couple, who started their lives together and now stand before a congregation and their 50th wedding anniversary. It’s a vision that most people can relate to. It may be your grandparents or family friends or maybe just a couple you see walking to church, still holding hands. These couples meant what they said when they vowed for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live.

It seems like an unimaginable feat when you are a student of twenty-something. How is it possible to stay with the same person for fifty years? What could you possibly talk about every day for five decades? Imagine everything they have been through. They have had ups and downs, happiness and heartache, and still they decided to stay by each other’s side instead of running away.

This is the image we should celebrate on Valentine’s Day. This is a love which has been tried and found true. It embodies everything that this holiday stands for, but it is rarely celebrated. This love may not be young, new and fresh, but those are the qualities that soon disappear. The qualities that last are those of understanding, faithfulness and communication. But I suppose “Understanding, Faithfulness and Communication” don’t make for a very catchy slogan for attracting Valentine’s Day shoppers.

So what is the secret to their love and lasting marriage? I have a feeling that is something no one knows. It can’t be explained or taught, it must be lived. The motto, practice makes perfect may be a more appropriate way to phrase this thought. Learning the secret requires getting up every morning and promising to work through the problems of the day together, for the good of each person. It is a give and take relationship that relies on compromise.

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