The Things We Do For Love

Remember the song "The Things We Do for Love?" It was from the late 1970's and it talked about all the wacky things we find ourselves doing for someone because we love them. Things we would never do in a million years for anyone else. I was thinking back over the years about both silly and serious things I've done for people I've loved that I definitely would not have done if I wasn't in love with them:

I sat through a Kenny G/Michael Bolton concert in the rain at Jones Beach back in like 1990. The girl I was with loved Michael Bolton. I was sick for two weeks after that, but it was worth seeing her happy. Just for the record, I did leave the show with my heterosexuality in tact.

I also sat through a Wilson Phillips/Richard Marx concert for about 3.5 hours in the rain. I did not get sick that time, but it took me a year or so to recover from having to watch Carnie Wilson's fat ass parade around the stage.

I've sat through many a "chick flick" in the theater where I was only one of about three men in the entire theater. I always pretended to enjoy it because I did not want to ruin their time, but inside I was thinking of about 100 ways to kill myself during the movie. Everything from swallowing the plastic gummy bear wrapper to choke myself to suffocation by popcorn bag.

I've made many a run to CVS for tampons. That wasn't so bad after a while. The first few times were rough when I was like 19, but it builds character. The first few times I'd buy tons of candy and other stuff as not to just go to the counter with a box of Tampax. After a while, those shenanigans stop and you just head to the counter proudly carrying the bright pink box.

Then there is the all day shopping sprees at women's clothing stores where I was the bag carrier and the fashion consultant for the 140 outfits they managed to try on per hour. Those were my favorite days. But, I kept a smile on my face and made the experience fun while I was looking for the nearest fire exit. I always enjoyed carrying their purse as well as the bags and the clothes they've chosen to purchase, it just added that feminine touch I was lacking at the time.

Then there are the personality flaws, the craziness, and other things I won't get into. Love is about accepting everything that comes with that person....the amazing stuff as well as the stuff that breaks your heart. When you love someone truly you'll do anything, get your heart shattered a million times, deal with all kinds of drama, and of course the CVS tampon runs. I think people use the "love" term too loosely. I think people are in love with the idea of being in love. Love means different things to different people, naturally, but to me it's about putting them first, acceptance of who they are and where they've been, respect, sharing, learning and teaching, and sitting through a Richard Marx concert.

On the flip side, I know there have been many things done for me.....sitting through my games, dealing with my musical tastes, my occasional crankiness, etc. That's what love is all about though, getting joy out of seeing your special someone happy and enjoying themselves.....