Unconditional Love

A few weeks back, I went to lunch with my GBig, Erin, when she was up in my end of the county. We talked for quite a while and one of the topics we began discussing was affirmation. It wasn’t far into the conversation that she brought up a book that she had read called The Five Love Languages. She had received the book as a gift from one of our other sorority sisters before a summer she spent as a camp counselor.

We talked about the book a little and I knew I wanted to read it! So, Erin was kind enough to bring it to our Alumni Chapter’s business meeting earlier this week. I’ve been trying to hold off on reading too much before all of my airport/ flight time this weekend, but after reading just a few pages, I just can’t seem to put it down!

Already this book has made me more aware of how others show their love towards me. We are surrounded by so much love in our lives and often we can’t see it!

This got me thinking about the idea of unconditional love. The thought that you could always love somebody, with your whole heart, no matter what is a pretty big deal.

I distinctly remember the first time I heard this term. I was a little kid and my family had just got our first golden retriever and we are obsessed with anything and everything that related to her. My dad had taken us shopping for mother’s day gifts and we saw a mug that had a sweet golden puppy face on it with the worlds “Unconditional Love”. My sister and I instantly thought this would be a sweet gift for my mom, though we did not know what the term meant.

My dad explained it to us in the most simple of terms but we were still confused why there was a dog on the mug. He laughed and said wait until the dogs are old and you are grown up and ask me that question then.

We never had to ask the question again.

As silly as it sounds, I think we can all learn lessons from our unconditionally loving pets. Our pets choose to give us all of their love, no matter what. Have you ever seen the look in a dog’s eyes when you say “Good Girl”? One of my golden retrievers actually smiles when you say that to her! Dogs whole-heartedly feel our love in return, something we should strive for in our own lives.

I think we should all strive to be the person our dogs think we are.

Today’s Pickins:

1.       As a proud Sigma Kappa, I support Alzheimer’s Awareness and research. These “Be Brave” bracelets are a fashionable way to donate to such an important cause.

2.       A quote I heard last night from either Jennifer Kessy or April Ross (the silver medal Beach volleyball team) about how they were so proud to be in the final match because “either way, our national anthem will be played at the end of the night and that is something to be proud of!”

3.       Not sure how I ever did without my Taco Holders!

4.       The Gameday Girls have the cutest faux pearl spirit studs!