It’s February and everyone’s talking about love. That ubiquitous, elusive, and endlessly complex emotion. We sing about it, write about it, chase after it, and sometimes even run away from it. But one thing’s for sure: love, in all its glorious forms, love makes up the quilt of life.
As a quilter and rugmaker, I spend hours planning my projects, and color and pattern are at the heart of those plans. Today, let’s ditch the unreal expectations and dive into the patchwork quilt of your life. Go beyond the narrow definition of romantic love, because the truth is, the colors and patterns of love make millions of different combinations.
The Sunny Glow of Familial Love:
There’s a warmth that washes over you like a well-worn scrappy quilt when you think of family. It’s the unconditional acceptance, the shared laughter over holiday mishaps, the unspoken understanding that transcends words. It’s the fierce protectiveness of a parent, the comforting embrace of a sibling, the quiet companionship of grandparents. This love is a fortress, a safe harbor where we can be our truest selves. Bring your siblings to LakePlace and hike, snowshoe, or ski the St. Croix River Valley.
The Spark of Friendship’s Flame:
Friends, those chosen family members, bring a different kind of warmth. It’s the spontaneous adventures, the whispered secrets, the shoulder to cry on, and the hand to celebrate with. It’s the shared passions, the inside jokes that make strangers stare, the unwavering support through thick and thin. This love is a colorful, whimsical quilt, lighting up our lives with bursts of joy and laughter. Bring your besties for a weekend of shopping local and relaxing with a beverage from one of many area wineries, breweries, or distilleries with LakePlace as your home base.
The Poignancy of Self-Love:
Perhaps the most important love of all is the one we sew for ourselves. It’s the acceptance of our flaws, the celebration of our quirks, the unwavering belief in our own potential. It’s the gentle voice that whispers encouragement when the world feels loud, the hand that reaches out to pick us up when we stumble. This love is the foundation, the fertile soil from which all other loves can blossom. Come to LakePlace on your own and settle in with a book from our library, a comforting cup of tea, and maybe a session at a nearby spa.
And Beyond…
Remember, this is just a glimpse into the endless collections of love. There’s the love for pets, for nature, for art, for a cause, for humanity itself. Each one unique, each one vibrant, each one adding its own piece to the patchwork quilt of our lives.
So, let’s open our hearts to all the colors and patterns of love. Let’s celebrate the love that makes us laugh, the love that makes us cry, the love that challenges us, the love that simply is. Because in the end, it’s not about finding the perfect love, but about embracing the beautiful, messy, and ever-evolving tapestry of love that makes us human.