Why Are We Here?

It is our ability to share in one common emotion, that brings us together as people, that separates us from every other species. Love. It is our desire to feel it, express it, touch it, and embrace it. But how do you describe it? A feeling so deep down inside that it embraces your entire being, and yet shines outwardly for all to see.

I had the opportunity recently to watch a beautiful love story play out before my eyes.  While browsing an airport gift shop recently with my daughter, Savannah, a common occurrence for us as we await my husband's homecoming from yet another business trip, we were intrigued by the site of a handsome young man dressed in military dress blues carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a pretty pink envelope peeking out amongst the arrangement.

“Oh thank you for the lovely flowers!” I exclaimed in my usual playful way of getting people to interact with me. As we laughed together over such silliness, I asked who the flowers were for. I was immediately captured by each and every word that came from his lips. My heart embracing every tidbit of his love story. He proceeded to tell me that while in service overseas he had married a beautiful woman from the Philippines. But shorty thereafter was sent home and sadly had to leave his bride behind.  After a difficult year away from each other, she was finally able to obtain her visa to the United States.

This marine's new wife had never even been away from home in the Philippines, and now was on flight to live her new life with this man in the USA.  Caught up in this young man's adventurous tale, I was not about to let him go. I had to see this love story of his unfold. “Do you have someone here to take photos of her arrival"? I asked. He explained that he had driven over three hours to get to the airport, and his phone had died on the way. I told him that I would be honored to take their photos and wrote down his email address to send them to him.

I appreciate the honor, respect, and courtesy that we extend to our military men and women, but when an airport official offered the marine a chance to wait behind the doors for her arrival, I was devastated. “NO!” I was screaming in my head!!! “How could he leave me?” I didn't want to miss the chance to see her face at the very moment that their eyes found each other.  As I stood on the other side, my husband walked through the sliding doors, (that is what we were there for, right?). Our daughter ran up to him with her arms spread wide with uninhibited joy in her greeting. I said “hello my dear, I love you but I must take photos”.

As we continued to await the arrival of the overseas bride, I started sharing this unfolding love story to others in the airport waiting area. People were so intrigued by their story that the crowd had built up to paparazzi size to greet the young lady. Although after nearly two hours of waiting, the crowd had dissipated, leaving me as the last woman standing.  And it finally happened.... After watching the doors open and close time and time again, there she was. My eyes flooded with tears as I watched the shy young bride take her first steps into a new country and fall into the loving arms of her long awaited love.

Magic and love filled the air as I tried to capture every moment on my little cell phone, of a genuine blushing bride hiding behind her sweet bouquet of flowers along with her handsome groom and a smile as big as Texas.

Welcome to the USA, where in Texas we are kind, respectful, and the boys say “Yes Ma'am”.

I'm always intrigued to hear how couples first met. Some don't even like each other right away. Then you have those that found love at first sight, or maybe it was the first kiss. But eventually they seem to figure out that it is love.

But how do they know? What is love? What pushes that guy so far over that edge? What makes a woman say that he is the only one for her? Everyone has a story. Each story may be wrapped in different paper, but when you open the book we find the same words written inside.... “We just knew”. They felt it, saw it, dreamed it, or had a vision. The power of love. What an amazing gift from God.

Our guests say they can feel it on our farm. Love is so powerful that people can feel it the moment they set foot on this beautiful land. The grass may not be cut, and the farm may be in it's many stages of construction, but people say they sense the love that made it our home.

So what is love? You tell me....it is a different feeling for everyone but it is all the same. Go right now and call, write, email, text, or scream it over an intercom....I LOVE YOU. This is the best joy in life.

We are here to love and be loved.

With Great Love,

The Lavender Chick

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