PROMISE RING

What's love got to do with it? What has happened to our world where your relationship isn't official unless you post it on social media?! People used to give a promise ring to show their love and commitment to each other. I find it really romantic.

Is this ring a passing fad or a new way for couples to declare their love?

Brilliance.com has a new Promise Ring collection. It is a lovely way to say "I Promise" to love you and be faithful to our relationship. Check them out and let your loved one know your promise of love.

PRESENTS

Aww, it's Valentine's Day.

You don't have anybody to buy things for this year?

This is what makes me a good friend. You are ALWAYS welcome to buy me things.

Especially things from Alex and Ani.

They have so many cute new charms.

Kidding. Sort of. But don't forget to get that special someone a present. A present that gives back to the community is even better.
*That's why I love this company and their cute jewelry.
Shop #alexandani

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

I think we are on this earth to either be loved or love others.

I have come to conclusion that I am here to love.

It's ok. Seeing people happy honestly makes me super happy.

Even though life might be extra crappy in my life for the past year and a half, I have recently met quite a few people who, for some reason, needed to hear a story or experience from me or to get a hug from me. Sometimes I meet people and feel like I am supposed to wrap them up in my love...so I do. I'm not saying I'm an angel on Earth...no no no...I'm far from that. However, I do believe we meet people at certain times and for certain reasons and I am thankful for that.

The Beatles had it right the whole time...

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE.

FRIENDSHIP

Isn't it great to have friends that you may have not seen for 5 years,

but every time you get together you pick up right where you left off.

BFF

LOVES

It is the nature of paths to cross. There may be road blocks or different courses taken along the way, yet once we meet, you will be in my heart forever. (Sorry-- no exit signs.)

I'm not sure if the fault is in our paths or in our hearts, but I want you to know you are loved. 

*In my best Willie Nelson voice* You are always on my mind.

Loves.

CHANGE

We all change throughout our life. If we didn't, the world would be full of a million astronauts and princesses while we rode around on unicorns or race cars.

Sometimes we change for the better, but sometimes for the worst. That doesn't mean you can't change again fix that bad attitude.

Those friends/family who stand beside us through both our good AND bad times are the ones worth keeping. They are the ones we can count on to be there when we most need them (even if we say we don't need their support). They might even nudge us and try to tell us to shape up.

Be sure to take a look at yourself before you point any fingers. Chime on!

Kia Kaha - STAY STRONG

I shared some advice in a post yesterday that was given to me. You know, the one that says: "If someone breaks your heart, just punch them in the face. Seriously. Punch them in the face and go get some ice cream."

Well, I went with my pal Joe for some ice cream. We got the cute cones with two scoops. I even tried the #snacknado flavor from Baskin Robbins....that's how badly I needed ice cream.

After the treat, we watched the movie Forever Strong. It's from 2008 and has my favorite bad guy Neal McDonough in it (the guy with the white hair and super blue eyes). It's based on a true story about a high school rugby player who gets busted for drunk driving and sent to a Juvenile Detention Center. He is too selfish and stubborn to learn anything there, so his counselor (Rudy!) allows him to play on the Highland rugby team with the amazing coach Larry Gelwix. Coach Gelwix has an odd approach to coaching that won him over 360 games in his coaching history. *Blah blah blah...(spoiler alert) the kid learns his lesson, he gets a hug from his dad at the end, and they win the championship.

Throughout the movie, the main character keeps trying to play his own match, while the coach is trying to teach him they win/score/play as a team. At the end, coach tells him, "Don't spend another minute being angry about yesterday." This got me thinking. Yesterday, my feelings were SUPER hurt. While I won't allow myself to do things that will harm my integrity, I also won't abandon you. That's right...once I let you in my heart, you are forever on my team. I will be there for you through your good and bad times. I will be there to punch you when you may need it (just to say straighten up), but I promise not to punch you and walk away. I want you to succeed. I want us to succeed. I can't force anything, but I can offer my help and love and THAT will always stay strong. Kia Kaha.

I love you; you're my friend.

FRIENDLY ADVICE

I have great friends. Those friends sometimes try to offer great advice...

 Like trying to remind me what I want and hope others would want,

 reminding me I'm not perfect

(but still pretty darn awesome),

and sometimes they offer their services.

I love my friends. I also love ice cream.

We all need some help every now and then. Maybe these will help someone else.

Just trying to pay it forward.

HEAD vs HEART

I don't claim to be an expert on anything...especially love. But I have learned a few things.

I have learned (and it might sound cheesy) it's important to listen to your heart. That brain of ours, it plays tricks on us; but the heart, it doesn't lie.

Your head can make you say, "I don't think the two of us will end up together." While your heart has already said, "You are the reason I get up in the morning and the reason I'm happy and smiling everyday. I love you more than I can even explain."

During difficult times, your head can think: I should move on, this is too hard, I can't handle this, I've changed my mind, let's give up, I quit, go away, and I don't love you. 

During difficult times, your heart says: I can't imagine my life without them, this is hard but I love him/her, WE can handle this, I may have doubts but my mind won't change, I'll never give up, I can't quit, I miss that person, and I know DO love you.

Your head can yell, "I tried for years. I don't know what to do now." Your heart lovingly pleads, "Nothing you can say or do could change the way I feel about you."

Your head can cause you to push someone away, but your heart will want to hold them close.

Your head (because of fear) can make you say you don't belong together and cause you to retract, but your heart can know the truth deep down and help you to keep working for that time the two align and you are ready to accept love.

Your head might be singing Taylor Swift's pop We Are Never Getting Back Together hit, while your heart can rock the 80's Listen To Your Heart Roxette tune.

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile.

The precious moments are all lost in the tide, yea.

They're swept away and nothing is what it seems,

the feeling of belonging to your dreams.

Listen to your heart

when he's calling for you.

Listen to your heart

there's nothing else you can do.

I don't know where you're going

and I don't know why,

but listen to your heart

before you tell him goodbye.

**Sorry, I was just in Europe so I have the hope from sappy 80's love songs and 90's TV show relationships like Zack Morris/Kelly Kapowski and Kevin Arnold/Winnie Cooper that last till the end of time pushing me along.**

Your head makes you think and say crazy things in the moment. Your heart keeps you calm because it knows, through all the confusion, that love will prevail. 

Your head might throw out the suggestion for your love to date and kiss others to realize they love you most. Your heart is not taking the blame on this one. That's stupid. Your heart wouldn't even dream of saying anything like that.

Your head might tell you that you should date other people and move on. Your heart won't let you give that new person 100% because it knows what it really wants.

Love is stronger than lust, an excitement from texting someone new, doubt, and fear. This is big for me to say, but love is the greatest feeling (when you finally stop fighting it and let it happen).

My advice? Don't let your brain play tricks on you. Follow your heart, take risks, and fight for what matters most to you.

I love you, with all of my heart.

TRUE LOVE

Love is a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection.

I'm Deanna...I try to love everybody. It's true.

But I think I have been afraid to be IN love...until recently. I have opened my heart to the idea of nurturing true love as described in this talk by Marvin J. Ashton. He says:

True love is a process.

True love requires personal action.

Love must be continuing to be real.

Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. 

Real love takes time, patience, help, and continuing performances. 

Meaningful love is a continuing process that will bring joy and happiness to all participating parties.

I am not a very good impulse buyer when I go shopping so, obviously, I wouldn't be able to just give my heart away to anybody who asks for it. I needed time to grow, learn, and feel like I was ready for love. I have learned love is enduring. Love will stick by your side through the good, bad, and ugly life throws your way. Love will also stick by your side when you tell it to go away (even if that means 4 or 400 years). Love will forgive you for your mistakes and grow stronger with you as you progress together. Love will laugh with you (probably because you are the funniest person you know). Love knows all about you and wants to learn more. Love will blow your mind.

In the talk, MJA continues to say:
...we need and deserve more than the declaration, "I love you." Let us resolve to take the time to give of ourselves in putting love into appropriate action and performance. Those who truly understand love know it must be basically simple, continuing, and sincere.

Sometimes love knows when you need space and will give it. True love will be waiting (and ready to return) when you are ready. True love is real.

Deanna loves you xo

COMMITMENT ISSUES

Costco made me realize I have commitment issues. 

I want to buy trail mix.

*I could go with the big bag that has peanuts and m&m's because I know that one is delicious!

However, I know I don't need to eat the one with m&m's.

*I could try a new kind, but I don't want a 20 lb bag nor do I want to pay $30 for it because I might hate it.

That store seriously fills me with anxiety.