Loving you (is easy cause you’re beautiful)

I just got back from an amazing vacation to Ecuador and the Galapagos. We swam with sharks, boated with crocodiles, and flew through an erupting volcano (not intentionally). The Andes were awe-inspiring and outrageously beautiful. We traveled with wonderful friends, hiked Incan ruins, stepped around sea lions and iguanas, and lay on black sand, white sand, and small stone beaches. I couldn’t have been luckier.

We also compiled a playlist of outrageous songs we happened to hear in too many airports—starting with KC and the Sunshine Band—because a few of the band’s backup musicians were on our first flight.

One of the “probably should never have been played again” songs that we heard was the 1970s hit, “Loving You” by Minnie Ripperton. “La la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la la.” If you remember the song, you know what I mean.

But still we heard it, and it stuck in my head. Stuck in my head and stayed there, but actually with good results.

Because each morning of vacation, as soon as I woke up, I heard the song in my head. “Loving you is easy ’cause you’re beautiful,” loud and clear. And I realized (or decided) that it was the universe singing me a love song. Reminding me that I was loved, and that loving me was easy (’cause I am beautiful).

And then I realized (or decided) that I could sing the same song to all the people I loved. My husband. My kids. The friends we were traveling with. The friends and family I left at home. But especially my husband, kids, and friends we were lucky enough to spend two glorious weeks with.

Every morning I heard the universe singing a love song to me, and I eased, basked, and smiled. Every morning I sang this love song to those around me, and I eased, basked, and smiled further. I heard, and accepted, the love within and around me. The love for me. The love from me.

Loving you is easy ’cause you’re beautiful.