"where have you been? I've looked for you forever and a day..."

Once upon a time, there was a man, also known as the Knight in Shining Armor, who told himself--and all who would listen, that he would be alone for the rest of his life. He had no need for a wife, he said, he was doing just fine. And he spent the next twenty years of his life living thus.

Enter a woman whose charms made him rethink that idea! He asked her to be his Princess and she agreed. They set up the "rules:" no fights, no cussing if there was a fight and most certainly, no name calling! She agreed and all was happy for them. Yes, they had their ups and downs, changes that many of us also share. Health issues, loss of jobs, changes in housing, but through it all, his Princess remained at his side, strong, stoic, compassionate.

Princess always remembered the first time her Knight gave her a rose. It was after a hard day at work. There on the table, in a slim red vase, was a beautiful pink flower. No one had ever given her a flower for no particular reason before, so the sight of this precious rose brought tears to her eyes. The Knight determined that he would always try his best to make her happy, for he hated to see her cry tears of sadness. He brought her a rose each week. The joy that shone in her eyes made it all worthwhile.

Life moved on. Years came and went. The gift of a rose weekly became bi-monthly...then once in awhile, until soon, it was once more, a rare gift that he bestowed upon her. And, as life has it, tiny little things also fell by the wayside. His e-mails to her, once eloquent and full of longing, also reduced to nothing. His notes left about for her to find dwindled to an occasional, "love you!" Soon even these small treasures evaporated. That good morning kiss...did he even remember to do that today?

Princess began to feel as if all of the good she did for him was being taken for granted. Secretly, she yearned for his random touches, his sweet notes, his words of love, his "just because" phone calls. But mostly, Princess yearned for the smell of that rose once more. When he wasn't looking, she'd cry a few tears for her loss. But in his presence, she would lash out in anger and judgment on him for tiny things over which he had no idea what caused her fury. He knew, deep down, that if he did more for her, she would be happier, but of course, time has a way of distracting one. What could have been became what should have been...and so on.

Friends, is this YOUR story? Oh how we fall so hard into Love, but then forget what made us so lovable to another in the first place! Love is like a flower...a rose! It needs to be tended, coddled, curried and cared for. If not, it will succumb to the outside pressures of bugs, disease and eventually, death. "But it takes so much time...." you whine. "I married her, so I don't have to do that anymore!"

Really..."I don't HAVE to do that any...more?"

Well, so did falling in love in the first place! People who have affairs spend a lot of time currying themselves, looking good for a stranger while the spouse sits at home, wondering what the hell happened. Why can't all of that time spent prepping be for the one whom you promised to love and cherish to begin with? The one left out would sure appreciate a random phone call, a loving swipe on the backside and of course, flowers for no reason whatsoever!!! In fact, the initial reason so many even start an affair is for the number one reason of: "She/He makes me feel so alive...so young again!"
Wow!
I urge you...if you have that special Knight in Shining Armor or Princess in your life...go to him/her now. Hold hands, laugh for no reason, tell a funny story of what happened in your day. Make his favorite meal, tell her that she is the most beautiful Princess in the whole Kingdom! Flirt with her, get all crazy with him! Go on dates....leave notes for her to find, tell all who will hear just how much he means to you! Dress special for him, even on the weekends. Sure putting on makeup and brushing your teeth takes time, but isn't that what you did way ...back...when? To attract someone's attention? Why can't you also do it to KEEP someone's attention?

There are stories of those who spend their lives together...sixty, seventy years! They still hold hands, they have pet names for each other...and some even die together. For more inspiration, listen to Kathy Mattea's "Where Have You Been?" or watch "The Notebook" together. That, for sure, will get the waterworks going! I guarantee you, the more time that YOU spend on the love that you have for your special someone, the better the chance you have of hearing this:
"...and they lived happily ever after, the Knight and His Princess, as they rode off into the sunset!"

dedicated to my own Knight in Shining Armor...I love you!