Sometimes, LOVE requires some work to get past that "shell". What are some of the words attributed to LOVE ? LOVE can be sweet, gentle and tender. LOVE can be bitter, harsh and tough. LOVE can be fragile, complicated and vulnerable. LOVE can be solid, reassuring and comforting. LOVE can be hard, protective and tough. LOVE can be easy, tender and mild. There are as many types of LOVE as there are STARS in the SKIES.

Even EASY-GOING LOVE requires efforts. Simply said, when faced with a conflict, be as nice, as benevolent and as attentive as possible and try to be quiet if  possible when things go sideways (a.k.a. hold your tongue) ! When your better (or worse) half does or says that “very wrong thing” . . . (first of all, I'm so sorry) and then :

take a deep breath and then 

JUST . . . WAIT . . . A . . . WHILE . . . AND . . . GIVE . . . IT . . . SOME . . . TIME.

*I know what your thinking. It should rather be that the one who is wrong should remain quiet but it isn't always a question of who's right or wrong but rather a question about having "HEART".

Give the 'other' the time to think about, regret it and apologize for it, without any input on your part (unless they’re “jackasses” by nature and need to be kindly or not-so-kindly re-directed in the appropriate and acceptable direction !) Things usually quickly re-align themselves back to an “acceptable” state of things. And if not, well then it's going to be a bit more complicated so "good luck" with that my friends.

Anyways, here’s a cheesecake for lovers and/or loved ones (each smaller version is ideally shared and devoured by two). It’s a crust-less and simple cheesecake. All soft and tender on the inside, with a bright red hard caramel candy shell coating. The rose and cherry flavors make it more interesting but just using vanilla is fine too or you can even try some cinnamon. Two taps with the back of a spoon to crack that shell and in you both go, sharing this dessert. Yeah, LOVE can be messy and playful too !

Often, LOVE requires getting through that ARMOUR or SHELL of the other (and yes, sometimes you feel like digging deeper and sometimes you don’t) but it’s often circumstantial and a question of how much energy you require to conserve for yourself in that particular instant and how much of that energy you can spare for and share with the other.

It's easier to be loving when you feel loved.

Be nice, be wise, have a "heart".

Happy Valentine’s Day . . . :)