The Many Faces of Love

 

Then there’s the love of friendship. Once again, Disney gives us a perfect example. The Toy Story movies remind us of the power of true friendship, best captured in the lyrics of You’ve Got a Friend in Me:

You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got troubles, I’ve got ’em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together, we can see it through
‘Cause you’ve got a friend in me
Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me

Where would we be without our friends? They are there to lift us up when life is hard and to celebrate with us when life is good. Recently, I reached a major milestone—20 years with the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce. Imagine my surprise when I walked into my local coffee shop one morning and was met by a group of amazing friends and colleagues, some of whom had traveled quite a distance just to celebrate with me.

On the wall hung a stunning display of handmade flowers, each one bearing a heartfelt tribute at its center. There were dozens of them—an entire garden of love and appreciation. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of my friends. Even now, I still open the box that holds those precious flowers, rereading their messages and feeling the warmth of that moment all over again. This beautiful surprise was orchestrated by my inner circle—an extraordinary group of friends who remind me just how powerful love and friendship can be.

Another form of love, perhaps the most accessible yet also the most difficult to embrace, is self-love. From an early age, we are conditioned to strive for more—to be better, do better, and reach higher. While self-improvement is valuable, it often causes us to focus more on our perceived flaws than on our strengths. Add to that the pressures of society—to be thinner, look younger, drive the newest car, and maintain a picture-perfect home—all while juggling life’s endless responsibilities. It’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re falling short. How can we truly love others if we don’t first learn to love ourselves?

Keeping with the Disney theme, I stumbled upon a quote from Walt Disney himself: “The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” A powerful reminder that self-acceptance is the foundation of true confidence and joy.

Then there’s charitable love—the kind that compels us to give selflessly to others, even those we may never meet. This love moves people to donate their time, money, and talents without expecting anything in return. It can be as grand as disaster relief efforts for those who lost their homes on the Juniata Terrace, in North Carolina, or in California wildfires—or as simple as shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, mowing a friend’s lawn, dropping off a meal, or offering a warm smile to a stranger. Charitable love is unconditional and often anonymous, yet its impact is immeasurable.

And finally, there’s the love we find in the world around us—in nature. For me, that points back to the Creator of this vast and beautiful earth, my Father God in heaven. For you, it may look different, but regardless of belief, we can all agree we live in an incredible world, filled with breathtaking places to explore and endless wonders to appreciate.

Love is everywhere, with all its many faces. May we recognize it, embrace it, and most importantly, share it this Valentine’s Day weekend, and always.

Rhonda S. Kelley, Executive Director, Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce