This is the farm that love built...

 Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.  ~Albert Einstein

    It is the season of love once again!  Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the stores are filled with bright pink and red hearts and candies to remind us to pick up that special something for that someone special.  Doing homemade Valentine's Day crafts with my daughter is the highlight of the season for me.  It is important to remember that it is not what you get, but who you are and who you spend your time with that matters the most.  

    We all have certain hopes and dreams when it comes to our ideas of love.  But no matter what your view point is, it all comes down to what you are willing to put into it and your willingness to never give up.  Sometimes plans don't always work out the way that you expected them to.  That happens a lot in life.  It can either knock you down, or it can make you even more determined to succeed.  If you are really lucky, those will be the moments in time when love will succeed the most.  Love is not just a battle of one or two people, but it consists of an army of many.  Our friends, our spouses, our family, our children... love can be the foundation built by MANY people all at once.

    My farm is a foundation that was built on the love of many.  It started with two people meeting and falling in love on this very land and it grew from there. My first field was well planned and thought out.  We planted our lavender following the exact directions that experts gave us.  After my flowers were place into the ground, I would personally go out with a 5 gallon bucket and water each one individually with care and precision.  Even though I did EVERYTHING I knew to be right, my crop failed.  Then I had to plow over that field and began again.  And AGAIN.  Yes, my crops failed for a second time and it was time for the third round.

    When I called up my best friend with the news, I could tell that she was heartbroken for me and she asked me if I was really upset.  I told her that I wasn't and I meant it.  Sometimes it is about the journey more than it is about succeeding.  Personal success is gained from experience and the strength that we find within ourselves to keep going and having faith that we will eventually reach our goals in God's time (not always our own).  

    For the third time around, that was when love truly conquered all.  I sent out an invitation for people to help re-plant.  We called it a planting party and there was no pay other than a good lunch offered.  Our family, friends, neighbors, and people we didn't even know before that day came out to help.  Row by row we re-planted the dream that had begun with just my husband and myself.  

    My little army of love had a truly miraculous day filled with joy, laughter, hard work, and even some break time to appreciate the canvas of clouds above us.  And our crops grew. They even over-achieved in growth and production.  My dream was a success because of love and a faith that kept me believing enough to never give up, even when it would have been easier to.  

    If you would, I encourage you to take time out this season to appreciate all of the people who love you and who will always support you when you need them to.  Sometimes it takes more than one or two... sometimes you need the whole army to get you through!