"Here's looking at you, kid," the talented actor Humphrey Bogart whispered to the ever-so lovely Ingrid Bergman in that famous movie "Casablanca."

Those who believe in love's magic breathed a sigh for romance.

That years ago award-winning movie about love and intrigue still stirs treasured emotions. Love is the most intangible, yet most precious gift we give or receive.

So, why is it that commercializing love with advertisements and television sales pitches is irritating? While a fifty-bucks per ounce perfume and/or romantic dinner is thoughtful it's only the beginning of keeping the apple of our eye spellbound forever.

Gifts are tokens of love - not the birth mother of love. Those who build a partner-for-life relationship foundation on material premise alone are just as likely to soon (ready or not) contribute to a divorce attorney's investment future.

Frankly, the more the deluge of television and mail advertisements interrupt life, the more I subconsciously file that brand name in my memory category of," don't buy."

Maybe it's that cranky oldster syndrome irritating me, and, at this time in life, I admit watching commercials are not high priorities. Ah, but I digress.

Author and Poet, Robert Frost wrote, "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

Well, OOOOkay!

A local fellow told me that one year he carefully picked out flowers, candy and decorations for Valentine's Day and hurried home to set up the surprise before his wife arrived.

For sure she was surprised. That day was January 14th, not February.

"One month later I did it all again."

Asked if decorating twice was worth it he replied, "Ohhhh, yes.

"Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged and the mutual dependence of the old," John Ciardi wrote.

For parents who fondly (or not so fondly) recall their kid's teen-age years, author Jules Renard realistically wrote, "Love is like an hourglass with the heart filling up - as the brain empties."

Regardless of where one's age love-profile fits, sweethearts agree that Valentine's Day is to be celebrated - and best not forgotten!

Some say, "Love grows best in a fertile field of humor."

Smiles are contagious.

Consider similarities that Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day share. "The Book of Answers" by Barbara Berliner with Melinda Corey and George Ochoa, questions accuracy of the groundhog's weather predictions:

"Over a 60-year period study groundhogs have been only 28 percent accurate, noting the rushing back into burrows as having more to do with sexual desire or hunger than with weather or shadows."

Love is known to grow and survive in the most trying of times. When Pearl Harbor was bombed World War II began and love relationships took on the challenges of enduring long separations nurtured only by love's memories and infrequent mail. Kids grew up in a wartime hurry of uncertainty when emotions were high and infatuation frequently mistaken for love.

Yet, love that survived war seemed stronger than ever.

Oscar Wilde observed, " Men as a rule love with their eyes, but women love with their ears."

The man who stole my heart, Gordy Byers, knew how to keep our love alive and growing each day by making time to sit down together and share our thoughts.

He supported life goals that were important to me, and provided consistent, sincere, loving care for our blended family of children.

Though he is gone all too soon, those memories strengthen my belief in how to love wholeheartedly.

Growing older does not end romance. Yet, I often wonder what young folks are thinking when they look and smile kindly at grey-haired couples holding hands while walking.

Are they amazed at the thought of seasoned-citizens expression of lingering love - or do they think we're just holding each other up? Maybe both.

Love is the compelling basis for all human need and existence, the balance that makes everything worthwhile, the catapult that energizes desires to create a better world.

In "Casablanca's" closing moments Bogart said about Bergman, "Of all the gin joints and towns in the world she walks into mine!"

Does fate play the trump card in romance? Can we will ourselves to love? Valentine remembrances and soft music express feelings.

Time teaches love's values and truth--a truth memorialized by beloved late songster, Nat King Cole singing, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn - is just to love - and be loved in return."

Celebrate Love on Valentine's Day - February 14th.