I love you not because of who you are...

... but because of who I am when I'm with you.
I love you not for what you have made of yourself,
but for what you are making of me.
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

This quote is widely popular, of course, timeless wisdom by Roy Croft, but it was only today that I actually started to truly see what's behind it. I met a friend of mine who, as usual, went on explaining to me in very tiny details what her next (ideal) partner should be. And his description contained all those wonderful words we all use in such cases: handsome, tall, charming, gentle, loving, caring, successful, et cetera, et cetera. I listened for a while and then I just shot this question at her, I don't know how it came to my mind: Who are you with him? She didn't even take it serious, thinking I was trying to be funny. But I meant it. Was she smiling, glowing, dancing, relaxed, passionate, kissing, secure, beautiful, adored, was she a servant or a queen, was she a mortal or a goddess? "Who are you?", as the caterpillar asked Alice so many times.

I think before we write down all those numerous lists with requirements for our ideal partners, it'd be worth it to switch the point of view and try to see ourselves with those partners. In almost all books I have ever read everyone tells us to visualize our mate. I beg to differ. I think it's more important to visualize who we are with those people, how we feel, if we can actually capture the feeling and hold it even for a second, this would be priceless. Instead of visualizing their features, why not visualize ours while we are with them - love beautifies everyone, so go ahead, see yourself glowing, youthful, smiling, fit, hopping out of joy and happiness, your feet light as you have wings attached, your hands open for a hug, your heart beating fast and excited, enjoy it, enjoy yourself. Because he (or she) may come in all forms and shapes but what should be most important is how you will feel and look in their presence. :)

There was once a great Russian movie, called something like "On my death blame Clara K." In this movie Clara chose man B over man A and explaining to man A why she didn't chose him, she said: "You gave me yourself but B gave me myself." Worth thinking, no?