Love is a Many Splendoured Thing.

My friend said I needed new windshield wipers. She is the friend who changes the oil on my car, so I listen to her. She is my only female friend who is more interested in what goes on under the hood, than what we wear. I have confessed to her that I have never changed a tire, and I don’t want to.

Tis the cupid weekend … where we could buy into the notion that love is equated with chocolate, red roses and wine.

Love is a many splendoured thing.

This same friend told me where to get new windshield wipers and she offered to change them for me. She said, “If you don’t know what to get, the guys at Costco will help you find the right ones.”

I go immediately to the automotive desk … “Can I help you?”

I say, “I hope so.” He types in my vehicle specifications on his computer, and match.com tells him what I need. He points me to the aisle they are located, looks at my hair colour and confused eyes, and decides to personally escort me to the windshield-wiper spot. I had no idea that the driver side of my window calls for a 22” wiper while the passenger side is 3” shorter.

Who would have thought there were this many options. “These are the best,” he says, “and they’re on sale” … My ears perk up with the word sale-I am a well trained female shopper. A momentary bright spot in the search. Alas, my sizes are not included in the sale.  (I am wondering whether I should buy the ones on sale and try to make them fit? What difference does an inch make? In fact two of the sale size would almost equal the original sum?)

He hands me two top quality ones, top non-sale price.

“It’s almost spring, do I need these that will work at minus 40?”

He tells me I’ll want to swap them out in summer. I say I don’t plan to. Well then I don’t have to, these will be good in summer. Likely overkill. Mr Sales-guy moves on after I thank him. What about all-season ones?  I compromise and buy top end for the driver side, and all season for the passenger. What does love have to do with wipers?

Is there an all season love? Or do I have to switch out for a new season? Recently on a ski excursion with my neighbours … she said that most of us will experience three major loves. The first love, the most passionate, the one we have children with. I forget the specifics of the middle one, and finally the one to grow old with. She looks at her husband, and says I guess you’re him.

I’m fortunate to come from an area where many couples do not switch out for a new season. My older sister married out of high school and has been married for 50 years. And they still do the best rockn’roll jive I have ever seen. At this stage I have also discovered the splendour of love with grand-children.

Love is a many splendoured thing …

And whether you have experienced it for a life-time or a season, I wish you love in your life. And good wiper blades which like love: clear the view, open your eyes to beauty, and improve the quality of the trip.

Two love songs to share for Valentine’s Day …

One from jjheller—a beautiful song that asks Who will love me for me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw_x99vyIC4

The other from the group Mashmakhan from 1970. True love will never die.