I can remember in my old life in corporate America how we would attempt to measure everything we did.  In the call center, it was all about the length of the call.  When it came to managing staff, it was all about efficiencies and best practices.  Measurements are good and necessary.  But not everything that is good is measurable.

We photographed two weddings this weekend.  At Friday’s wedding, I met John and Mildred.  They have six children – all adopted.  They adopted one girl, then a brother and a sister.  John, having grown up with two sisters, but never having a brother, felt it important that his son have a brother, so he and Mildred went back to the adoption agency and said, “We’d like a younger brother for our son.”  The agency’s response was, “Well, we have an older brother…and he comes with two sisters.”  John said to me, “Our family doubled over night.  We couldn’t be more blessed.”

On Saturday, I was doing my usual tour around the dance floor and noticed a couple on the edge of the dance floor.  They really seemed to be moving well – at least their upper-bodies.  I was a bit perplexed because they seemed to have the rhythm and the motions, but weren’t moving their feet.  A little later in the evening, I was walking around and the couple walked past me.  She was hobbling on crutches as he helped her along.  The next time I saw them together on the dance floor and they weren’t moving their feet, I understood.

This weekend has been a reminder to me that we can’t always calculate love.  We can’t put a measuring stick next to our heart and figure out how much love is in it.  Sometimes we just have to live life in love and allow the intangibles to speak for themselves.

Live out loud this week.  I dare you.