I was thinking the other day about the young people of this generation. How fast paced their lives are and how the expression "Hooked Up" is common place for them. Not too many young teens date monogamously today. Girls and Guys are friends, but half of them have hooked with each other and each others friends. And the ones who date only one significant person, seem to be the odd ones out.
If someone asked me why my marriage works today, and why I still love my husband so much. I would say it is because he was and has always been, "My Best Friend" I remember the first time we kissed....I was so nervous, but as we held hand and walked down to the track for that first kiss, I was comforted by that hand that was holding mine. Even at a young age, I could tell him anything. I never kept anything from him. Before we even started dating, we used to sit in the back of the Library at school, and talk about everything that was happening in our lives. He was my confidant, my friend, my rock and almost a year later he was my boyfriend. We built our foundation, on a friendship built on trust and admiration. If I had "Hooked Up" with him first, then that foundation would have never been built, because what was there to look forward to.
Recently, two of my relatives have passed away. My Uncle Dave passed suddenly which I am sure was very hard for my Aunt Sheila. And my Aunt Marcia passed away more slowly. I thought about my Aunt Marcia, and how my Uncle John slept by her bedside at night, just waiting for the moments when his wife, his best friend would open her eyes and acknowledge his presence by her side. I imagine that my Uncle spent a lot of time just holding her hand, letting her know in this simple way that he was there with her. And I am sure that when my Uncle Dave was sick, my Aunt Sheila did a lot of hand holding as well.
In sickness and in health, I have seen a lot of my relatives holding hands. Holding the hands of their life mates, their best friends. Young or old these people began their relationships founded on friendship. My wish for this "Hook Up" generation is that they don't miss out on the value of "The Art of Holding Hands" its a great foundation for friendship, and even greater foundation for a relationship.
