Although the Valentine’s season has been formed and fueled by American consumerism, I, contrary to my core principles of being, actually laud what Western culture has attempted to do with the month of February.

Valentine’s Day reminds us that the dismal winter wind will soon fade and the blooming flowers of spring will soon inspire a lively vigor to our souls. It provides us with a certain hope that our current environment, though presently cold and dreary, will eventually become brighter.

We’ve all been there; “love” at first sight, touch, talk...etc. We all know that feeling in your stomach when you really, really like someone.

So how can you decide if that feeling of like, love or lust means the person is “the one?”

It’s fairly simple after about the 15th time you experience and lose that feeling. I must have said at least 20 times, “This is the ONE!,” only to lose or walk away from the relationship within months.

So how can you really know? Have you ever asked an older person the infamous question, “how did you know?” They all give the same unhelpful answer! “I just knew it!” Well, I’m glad they’re all prophetic, but for those of us who don’t “just know,” how can we find out?