I must confess it's a saying that is so cliché, but I'm going to use it anyway: a picture is worth a thousand words. But in this case it's worth more than a thousand LIKES. Know why? Because let's face it, we are all romantics at heart.
At our core we are all in love - with love.
A few days ago my very good friend Pete Kohlasch dropped to one knee right there on the streets of New York City, in front of the Saint Patrick's Cathedral and shared the following words with his long-time girlfriend Kathleen Galvao: "I fell in love with you the day I met you. And today I love you as much as I ever have...and more every day. I want to love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
Right there in front of the Cathedral, delighting a group of unknowing spectators and soon-to-be fans! Sometimes God definitely has a plan.
Fortunately Kathleen said YES, while some kid Pete had just secretly met minutes before, someone adept with an iPhone camera, snapped picture after picture. Pete got into position, flipped the top on his ring box and popped the question to Kathleen. The rest is their history and the history of the people on the streets who watched in delight as the proposal took place. It wasn't long after the rest of the world found out as well.
That's right...young love going viral on social media.
I treasure a few reasons for the social world we live in: to celebrate something happy or exciting, to console, as a community, those who are hurting, or to share a message of hope or positive change for which nearly anyone can benefit. We are all social animals, which is why when a picture like the one of Pete and Kathleen pops on Facebook, or Twitter, or anywhere in our viral world, we all take notice. It's the sheer beauty, spontaneity and innocence of that moment. We can't disguise our own joy, it captures our attention and engages our hearts.
We all love to be in love.
How much do we love love? It took only a few hours for the picture Pete posted on his Facebook page and the one I posted after he sent me that same photo to gain more than one-thousand LIKES and tons of shares. Why not? When it's good, it's good! And two people in love, about to embark on a lifelong journey together? Well, we all want to share in the power of that emotion. We know it, many of us have felt it, some yearn to feel it, and we can't help but bask in the glow.
A guy dropping to one knee to ask the woman he loves to take his hand, put a ring on her finger and ask her to share his life. Why wouldn't that picture resonate with anyone who has a heart, anyone who still believes in the power of romance and the delicate dance of two souls taking a chance to collaborate on the rest of their lives.
The snapshot of that young love is so strong it almost appears as if time stands still. In one instant a snapshot of what we all want life to give to us...soulful surprise, pure acceptance, undying adulation, complete respect and heartfelt tenderness. Maybe you see more, maybe you see less. It really doesn't matter for the ultimate gift is we all get to see it and take part.
The cool thing is through the power of social media we all get to share in one couple's experience which reminds us why life, in its simplest form, can still be so grand. It's the reason why people who have never met Pete or Kathleen, couldn't help but click and SHARE and COMMENT and LIKE. And LIKE is the best they could do, mainly because there's no button on Facebook that says LOVE.
There should be, because lets face it, we're all in love -- with love.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time,
Mark
(markbrodinsky@gmail.com/http://markbrodinsky.com/)
Mark Brodinsky, Author, Blogger, Speaker, Speech Writer, Emmy Winner, USHEALTH Advisors
Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse's Story
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