When It's Best

At the songwriter's conference in Muscles Shoals, Ala. this weekend, a random stranger walked up and asked me, "What is love?" Always ready with a snarky comeback, I stared at him, speechless. I answered, "Why not ask the hardest question?" He laughed.

Regardless of what books, therapists, E-Harmony and the likes tell you, there is no guaranteed way to know if you're holding love in your hands. I like the term "If it's love then nothing's missing" as a way to gauge whether it's the real deal or not.

Last week I heard another oldie but a goodie, on The Golden Bachelor. A former Bachelorette told Gerry to, "Pick the one you can't live without."

I had a friend once who told me to pick the one I felt safe with. That meant a lot coming from a friend whose husband always has her back. No matter what comes in their lives, he always defends her and helps guide her through murky situations, so she doesn't come out with the short end of the stick.

Over the years, I've had my moments where I questioned whether they were a fit. Then she recently told me his response to something happening to her and it reminded me why I liked him for her. It hasn't been perfect at all, but the man covers her every time. He has definitely been the best man for her.

That's worth something to me in a world where people are constantly trying to take advantage. I will be on the lookout for that man who has my 6.