So much time and energy is spent in the pursuit of, development of, and hanging on to romantic love that it must be tremendously important.  And while such love can bring great joy and happiness, it also comes with the risk of great sadness and disruption.  Yet we pursue and desire it intensely.  But why?  Why are romantic love relationships with another person so important?

Your response may be something self-created like, “Love gives me peace and strength to …”; or it may be borrowed like, “In the words of Willie Nelson, ‘Love is …’ ”; or it may be just a simple rule you’ve held dear for many years like, “My Grandma always told me without love, you . . . ”   Your response can be anything you want that fits on one of the sheets of paper we send you.

Responses may include perspectives on why romantic love is so important to you personally.  Or to your partner.  Or your family.  Or your community, society, to the world.  Why is it so important to have love in life?  Or, you may take an entirely different angle.  Please respond as you feel compelled.

There is no such thing as a “wrong response.”

Since becoming engaged, we have heard many interesting, inspiring, and helpful perspectives on the importance of love in our lives and it has made us want to hear and learn more.  You taking the time and energy to share your response to the above question is a really wonderful gift.  Please don’t bring any other gift.  This is all we want.

So, give your answer some thought and then be prepared to write it out when you receive the paper.  We’re sending a few different sheets of paper so you can pick the size and shape based on your specific response.

Some thoughts about your response:

It can be a single word or several words

It can be a poem or excerpt from a book, song, or other

It can be in any language you like

If you prefer a drawing or a symbol, that is fine too

You should not sign your name on the front (If you want, you may sign your name on the back)

You should use only the paper that we send you

Each sheet of paper should stand alone as its own response, in its own entirety

If you want to offer more than one response, feel free to do so since we are sending you more than one sheet of paper

Again, this is the only gift we want and you cannot offer a wrong response

Please return the sheets by April 15th.  Feel free to give us a call or drop us an email if you have any questions or thoughts.

We really appreciate you participating in this.