Heart's in the Right Place

Last week I wrote about good luck charms. Specifically, I wrote about a horseshoe ring I sometimes wear, which symbolizes not only good luck, but protection.

Something people probably don't know about me is that the heart is my favorite symbol. I love what it stands for--not just romantic love, but good will and happiness. I love what the symbol looks like, particularly its vertical symmetrical nature. I love that it often comes in red, but can be any color and have any design inside it. The heart: a thing of beauty.

I have always worn hearts. Since I was a small child I have owned a variety of heart-shaped pendants. As an adult I have acquired by gift or purchase heart-shaped pendants or necklaces, heart-shaped rings, bands made up of tiny hearts, a bangle bracelet with a heart in the center, an interlocking heart-shaped charm bracelet, and even my own wedding ring whose three small diamonds are supported by three small hearts.

Some of these items are dearer to me than others. A lot of these heart-shaped accessories have been given to me by my mom--the first person who ever loved me, and definitely one person who always will. The wedding band, also given to me by my mom, is extra special, for it represents her love, my love, and my husband's. The inside of the ring has the words "past, present, future" inscribed on the band. Hearts are about all of these things: where we have come from, where we are now, and where we hope to be.

Here are the three versions of the heart I wear today--and I didn't plan it. I only chose one of these items to wear, for I never take off the wedding band and heart bracelet.

The top heart is a Michael Kors necklace (one day I'll say more about wearing MK stuff). I love the bling right at the small of my neck. The middle hearts make up a James Avery linked bracelet. Some people add charms to the bracelet. I just wear mine plane Jane. I like the simplicity of it. The last three hearts are on my ring signifying my past, present, and future with my husband. We had an interesting, and long, courtship. Now we enjoy this journey in Maine and look forward to many more years here.

Sometimes people associate hearts with a cheesy holiday that makes people feel obligated to give each other roses and heart-shaped candy, or candy in heart-shaped boxes. I don't believe in that version of the heart. For me, it's a reminder of how much love there is in the world, how much love I have to give, and how much love has been given to me. Keep it coming!