April Fools for Love

Traditionally April 1st is a day for pranks and a bit of mischief. This one brings to mind another type of fool. Have you ever been a fool for love? Some might say it's just the nature of the condition. In a way, I agree. Love has a way of turning you around. Your senses are altered. Your thinking is addled. Your demeanor may change from sad to happy or it may go from 'normal' to distressed. You become preoccupied. Maybe your attention span shortens. Daydreams become frequent. Sleep patterns may become very haphazard.

Ah, yes, I've been a fool for love. I have no regrets about it. It's an experience not to be missed. If you've never been there, maybe you are afraid to take the plunge, for plunge it is. It is a leap of faith. You needn't close your eyes...many do, but it's not recommended. Even with eyes open, things are not always what they seem when the love filter is on. Not to worry, they come into focus soon enough.

My coworker, Mario, returned from a vacation in Costa Rica, smitten by a beautiful woman he met just before he was to leave for home. When he first saw her, he didn't have the nerve to speak to her. Later, that's all he spoke about, driving his friends crazy. When they encountered the lovely senorita at a club two nights later, his friends made sure they made contact. That, as they say, was it.

Mario traveled to Costa Rica for his friends' wedding. Traditionally, the day before the wedding, the groom hires a mariachi band to sing to his fiance. He leads a procession of mariachis, family, friends and neighbors down the road to her home. There she waits behind closed doors, with the women of her family until he knocks on the door. If she accepts him, she opens the door, and he bestows gifts of flowers and jewelry. If not, the door stays closed. Bummer.

This day the door opened and the fiesta began. The entire neighborhood joined in the celebration of love. Mario was quite impressed.

Did all this affect his feelings before he met his lady? Quien sabe? Some say timing is everything. Well, it is part of the picture, but the rest? There is an element that cannot be defined by logic. Some call it fate. Some call it Cupid. Whether it's the fickle finger or Cupid's dart, when it gets you, you are changed forever. Mario has her phone number. They've talked a couple of times, but he complains it is not the same as looking into her eyes or reading the body language. I can dig it. I feel ya', man. Long distance romance can be a challenge, but all is fair in love. Play the cards you're dealt in the game of life. You never know when you'll win the jackpot.