Regarding Love: Again

Regarding Love:”The course of true love never did run smooth.” (Shakespeare)

No kidding.

Valentine’s Day came and went, like one of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s lovers, and while I caught glimpses of romantic love here and there, none of it was ideal, not really. No Nora Jones theme music, no pretty kisses, no perfect lipstick, no red dress.

I did see a couple snuggling, well, ok, nuzzling briefly…in a long, long line at Papa Murphey’s (which included a small child wriggling in distress because there are no public restrooms at Papa Murphey’s). I saw a man step jauntily out of Costco with a half dozen convenient roses wrapped in cellophane. And as we stood in line at Costco ourselves, the couple behind us giggled guiltily over the red velvet cake they had stashed in their cart, made with love by Costco bakers.

Meanwhile. On the Day, the very, very day, Frank developed a fever blister, a relic from the flu—and a profound kiss inhibitor, smeared with white ointment (reminiscent of Desitin). And I… mustering my own love energy from the nether side of our winter epidemic…I curled my hair with hot rollers I’ve kept since the 80’s, dressed up in a skirt and a crocheted sweater, and wound up looking like someone’s grandma (Seriously…in the exact words of one of Nora’s classmates: Your hair is big like my grandma’s. You even look like my grandma!).

And now I’m getting a fever blister.

But wait (what light through yonder window breaks)… As Promised, I Have Another Story Regarding Love:

My second daughter Maurya grew up and left home to seek her fortune…on an island actually (in the South Pacific).

She was lonely, but. With a Smile and a Song, she not only managed a stiff upper lip, she also made friends with the local wildlife, who perched on her pillow and sidled up to her ankles in the shower (mostly geckos and cockroaches, but also a few sand critters).

Until the Night of the Get-to-Know-Ya Ball.

It was An Enchanted Evening,

though the music was awful and the room full of awkward strangers. She was just thinking about traipsing home to her tiny pumpkin shell, when (Across the Crowded Room) Their Eyes Met. Her eyes, and Ben’s eyes.   Ben and Maurya agreed on the awfulness of the music and stepped outside to talk…but in the end, Maurya walked along the beach holding hands with a different boy that night.

Whom she narrowly avoided kissing (you smile, but a Kiss is a Powerful Thing), returning safely to her pumpkin shell at last a little after the clock struck twelve.

Though Ben left the party (and Maurya) early, he was struck with chivalrous ideas and asked Maurya on various dates (library study, cafeteria company, bike rides…. do re mi fa so la ti do). Which compliment Maurya returned by taking him to Sunday dinner at Aunt Cynthia’s.

Eventually, they both knew it was True Love.

And then. Leaders of our church announced that they were changing policies concerning the ages of missionaries…and Maurya, very excited by the notion, decided to go on a mission. Thinking she would have just enough time to squeeze it in and be back to marry Ben possibly even before her 21st birthday. Fast as you could say “spindle-skipping-spinster”. Ben nodded in agreement (he really is a sweet boy), and sadly kissed her goodbye.

Local villagers have opinions about whether this Love will Last. Statistically, it doesn’t look likely. But Ben is Very, Very Charming, and is said to be remarkably loyal and steadfast by those who know him best. And Maurya loves him dearly, and is very happy in his company. She leaves for her mission at the end of May.  Meanwhile, he studies in Hawaii and she works in Utah.   And they skype. Daily. And talk on the phone until they both fall asleep (I ask Ez where his sister is, and he chuckles and says: She’s sleeping with Ben.)

The day before Valentine’s, Maurya was so sad.

Valentine’s Day comes, and he is alone in a library in Laie, and she is hiking with her brother up a snowy mountain on the outskirts of Ogden. Valentine’s Day goes, and flowers from Ben arrive for Maurya. With chocolate; she is at work, and he is probably still sleeping. They have a date planned; they will meet for dinner. He will get takeout in Laie, she will find fast food in Ogden, and they will skype while they eat it. Dear heart.

And I, since I’m a Real Mother and not an Other Mother, sigh and wordlessly watch this love take it’s bumpy course (ok, I’m not entirely wordless, but I’m really trying). Isn’t that how love goes?