A day for expressing love

By Carlton U. Forbes

Long, long ago, in a far-away land, lived two good friends, Curtis and Agnes. As neighbors, they lived next door to each other.

So they did almost everything together. They played together, ate together, fought with each other, and when their anger subsided, they usually made up and continued being best friends.

As time went on, Curtis and Agnes went off to school. In elementary school, Curtis and Agnes sat together, studied with each other, and did most school activities with each other. Due to their close friendship, their neighbors were convinced that Curtis and Agnes were destined soul mates.

After graduating from elementary school, they went to the same middle school. But for the adorable twosome, the only thing that changed was their surroundings. After some time, Curtis became convinced that one day, he would marry Agnes. But Curtis did not tell Agnes the secret of his heart.

As Curtis and Agnes got older, their friendship grew stronger. Eventually, Curtis and Agnes graduated again, and moved on to high school. Despite their hectic high school schedule, Curtis and Agnes managed to continue their close friendship. In the course of time, Curtis became certain that one day, he would marry Agnes. But Curtis did not tell Agnes what he was thinking.

After graduating from high school, they enrolled in the same university together. Naturally, university life was much different from high school. They had more books to read, more homework assignments to complete and more campus activities to participate in. So Curtis and Agnes decided that studying together was a great way to keep their friendship strong.

Soon, both Curtis and Agnes started realizing that they cared a lot for each other. So more and more, Curtis cherished the idea in his heart that one day, he would marry Agnes. But Agnes did not know anything about Curtis’ romantic interest.

Then, one day, a handsome stranger visited that far away town. Soon, this young man met Agnes by accident. It seems there was an immediate attraction. Just one look at her and he was convinced that Agnes was the spark that would light the fire of love in his soul.

At that moment, the wooing stranger told himself ``If her name is Sally, I’ll be her Harry. If her name is Jill, I’ll be her Jack. If her name is Eve, I’ll be her Adam.” Shortly after, the stranger asked Agnes out on a date, and was surprise when she said yes. Then, he planned a very romantic date, and seized the moment to reveal his mushy intentions.

He looked into her eyes, and said, ``Agnes, my heart beats only for you. My soul longs only for you. My eyes cry only for you. So when I’m hungry, it is not for food, it is for you. When I’m thirsty, it is not for water it is for you. When I’m lonely, it is not for company it is for you. Now, my heart’s desire is to share my life with you. Would you like to be the love of my life, the wife of my youth, the mother of my twelve children, and the jewel of my heart?”

Agnes was so impressed with this poetic proposal, she could not resist; she said ``YES!” A few months later, Agnes and the stranger got married. Feeling embarrassed about losing his beloved to this infamous stranger, Curtis left this far away town and was never seen or heard from again ― the end.

Sadly, what Curtis failed to understand is that love must be given in order to be received. Love must be expressed in order to be felt. Love must be shared in order to grow. Love must be risked in order to be proven. Love must be experienced in order for it to touch our hearts, affect our lives and satisfy our souls.

This Valentine’s Day, take the time to express your love to those you care about. Do it with candy, cards, flowers, or a Valentine’s note. Do it with a warm embrace, or a long, lip-smacking kiss! Find a personal and special way to show your loved-ones your heartfelt affection and appreciation. Because unexpressed love is no love at all.

True love must be combined with fervent affection, caring attention, and timely devotion. To say ``I love you,” there’s no better time, than on Cupid’s festival, St. Valentine’s.

The writer is an English teacher at Sannam Middle School, in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. His email address is cqalphos@gmail.com.