There is a well-known passage from the Bible on Love that our Pastor from Rise Church shared this past Sunday. He is doing a series on 'Crazy Love Stories' from the bible and what they can teach us about relationships. Sunday's sermon explored how love enters the picture. But the application of the message was not limited to married couples or those entering marriage - he extended it to cover parent-child relationships and friendship.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We've all heard this before, right? But Pastor Jared said something that really struck me in a new way about this passage. He explained (paraphrased) that

Love is NOT just a feeling. Yes, it is wonderful to experience deep feelings of love, and to fall in love, but God shows what love really is... and it is about the qualities listed in 1 Corinthians above. Without these... the feelings alone are insufficient to stand the test of time.

Love, at the end of the day, is a verb... it's not just a feeling, it's a positive action from people with the best hearts! And the people I am close to on Hive, are all loving human beings, with the best hearts.

Today is Valentine's Day - a day to celebrate love. There are a number of Valentine-themed contests on Hive at the moment and I came across this wonderful post Love letters on Hive by Hive account@grindan... encouraging writers to share their love for their Hive friendships in a post to celebrate Valentine's Day.

I've read a few Love Letters already... and they have all brought a smile to my face or a tear to my eye. 💗

I was discussing Hive friendships about a week or so ago with a friend from Hive. We chatted about the nature of Hive friendships and how we had both made some really genuine connections with people - friendships that were just as important to us and sometimes even more so... than the ones we have off-chain.

We have both met people from Hive in person, including each other. People who started out as strangers, became acquaintances through engagement in the comments, went on to become online friends, and later still became friends off-chain too. We observed how each of the people that we had met in person did not deviate in character from the person that we knew online. There were no nasty surprises. Despite the anonymity of blockchain... if you take the time to get to know people on Hive, you will meet a lot of genuine people who do not hide their true selves from their online communities, and who are quite transparent and authentic. And we were wondering how it was that people who could be anyone behind the mask of a Hive persona, mostly chose to be authentic. The answer in our minds was quite simple: because we don't have to be self-conscious, we behave without inhibition. We don't seek to hide aspects of ourselves because we have a degree of anonymity anyway, so we can afford to be real.

When I first saw Hive account@grindan's post I thought... how do I even start something like this...cos you know... I have love for everyone that I connect with on hive hahaha... (note: not everyone I come into contact with... lol...but certainly all those with whom I am connected) but it just isn't possible to mention everyone. So I figured I would limit my post to the following to make it manageable lol: (1) The people I have met in person, (2) the people I connect with beyond the borders of Hive on a regular basis (albeit have not yet met), and with whom I share parts of my personal life. Ok Ok so I may have added a few more on the end too... cos there are some peeps who may not fit completely (yet) into either of the first two categories... for whatever reason... but I had to mention them! Because well... they are my Hive friends too!

The people I have met in person:

Hive account@dreemsteem I have no words to truly describe what you mean to me. But I know you know 🤗. I am forever grateful that the Lord brought you into my life 18 months ago. Now, has it really only been 2 weeks since I last saw you??? 😢😂😘Hurry up October! I love you, my Leah 💗 always the beginning...
ps: and don't even get me started on your writing... you da best... hehe

Hive account@biggerjoe With you it is always the best day ever and especially when jy soek moelikheid, jong hahaha You have *perfected that accent! You make the best cuppa tea in the morning and also lead the best dinner prayers at night. I'm sure you make the Lord smile every day. Love you!

Hive account@quirky.countess Best sense of humour ever, Sydney! You sassy lass, you crack me up! And such a joyful and beautiful heart. Vegan GF waffles with maple syrup - so very thoughtful of you... Love you, special lady. Can't wait to celebrate with you and Caleb.

Hive account@bbqgriffinwings - You have such a beautiful heart, Mikey and you are super talented. Listening to you play guitar and sing in the valley was an absolute treat. And... we'll always have bows and arrows and root beer, hahaha! (longest laugh of my life - true story! I have proof!) Love you!

Hive account@penderis The kindest heart and a wonderful sense of humour. You always seem to know when to drop Drybar comedy into my DM hehe. Pen-Pen - we had an absolute blast in the UK! Can't wait for the next time! You're definitely not a Richard! hehe Love you!

Hive account@bluefinstudios Ah... Blue... next time we plan with you... and... you allow us to!!!... cos 9 am is not TOO early lol... I'll kick your ass outta bed... or accidentally knock your laptop shut! hahaha... looking forward to seeing you again this year. A little dreemie tells me that I can look forward to Blue's love served up on a dinner plate in October. I very much look forward to that! Shall I grab the alcohol-free wine? hehe Love you!

Hive account@olawalium The original poet and a rap artist in the making hehe. You have a way with words, my friend. I met you online on publishOx before I even knew what Hive was!! But I never thought I'd get to meet you in person and give you and your family a hug... and you give the nicest hugs! You're a true gentleman with a wonderful family. Love you all.

Hive account@tengolotodo - Everyone's mad Scotsman cos... well you are everywhere and belong to everyone hehe. What a fun journey so far. You deserve the Hive award for engagement! Always awesome to chat with you and Matilda and it was so good to meet you in January. You carved out a fabulous chilled-out day for us up the East Coast of Scotland and found the best restaurant ever - ticked all the boxes 😂🤗Love you, Ed! Fellow dreemer😊

Other friends with whom I connect personally:

Hive account@calumam Cal, you sparked creativity in me 3 weeks into my Hive journey and got me exploring the Lake of Imagination aka GRAPHICal | 002. A light went on! You are the original creative - and your energy and creativity are infectious. POB-WOTW was legendary... so are you. I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and well. Maybe I'll find you in the 5th dimension 😉🤗 I miss you and I love you! (Message me please if you see this!💗🙏)

Hive account@scholaris You are the epitome of self-sacrifice and commitment, Felix. I love what you did with pob-wotw. I miss your mamoth posts lol. You're a fabulous writer and I enjoy our chats when life isn't so busy for you. You are loved and missed. 🤗

Hive account@alekst7 Aleksey, you were always the gold standard for me in pob-wotw and I aspired to write like you. You have come to mean a lot to me since we connected in POB and wotw communities. I admire your faith and resilience and your ability to maintain a positive outlook amidst challenging circumstances. I continue to pray for you and your family. I truly look forward to the day that you are free again to live your life in choice... and peace.🙏💗

Hive account@wrestlingdesires You were the second person who changed everything for me on Hive. My partner in crime and collaboration on the blockchain. We are never far from each other's thoughts and run in the same communities hehe. You offer an unfailing kind and beautiful friendship. You are a wonderful writer. You brought me to Dreemport and you brought me to Hive account@dreemsteem. Too many reasons to love you, my friend 💗🙏.

Hive account@itsostylish You're an incredible writer and generous curator who gives so much of your time to the development and encouragement of other people's writing. You are a very dear friend, my Stylish. I forget who started running first! But no more running, ever! Promise! I love you 💞😘💗

Hive account@amberkashif My Hive sister. You are an old soul, my friend. I love how deeply you think about issues and how eloquently you put those thoughts into words. How kind, caring, and supportive you are. How strong and resilient you are. What an amazing mom you are to your two boys. I love talking with you - you inspire me! Love you always!💗

Hive account@ayesha-malik You are such a joyful person to be around, with just the sweetest soul. You're a true dreemer, you write beautifully and you are funny as hell!!! My favourite comedian on Hive haha. I miss you and I love you! 💗

Hive account@deraaa I first came across you in the Ink Well and I adored your writing. And when you became our fierce leader for the teem challenge in Dreemport, you blew me away with your passion, your drive, and your endurance. Teem Fierce forever hehe. You have a heart of gold, my angel. You are destined to do beautiful things🙏I love you, Deraaa!💗

Hive account@nickydee Hive's most introspective writer hehe. You teach us all little lessons along the way in the things you share, Nicky. I love your writing. You're an inspiration. No fear... ever. Keep standing tall. Love you! (ps: This post of mine may rival yours for length! hahaha) 💗

Hive account@blackdaisyft and Hive account@consciouscat Margarida aka Daisy and Caroline hehe... We are that little trio that just clicked together... we may wander in and out and life may get the better of us sometimes and steal away our attention... but we always come back together again to touch base and catch up with each other. Margarida you are just the loveliest soul. Your warmth and kindness are a special quality. I love our occasional little late-night chats in discord. You always reach out when I am quiet... #stillbreathing Daisy style... And you have opened my eyes to such a diverse range of music through your posts in #ttt hehe And Caroline... we've had some great conversations on Hive on health. You are both special ladies. Love you! 💞

Hive account@juliamulcahy 💛Just for you 💛 hehe... Love your writing, Jules, and love you! You have a beautiful heart. I miss you but I hope the course is going well!! And I hope we get you back someday hehe... 💗

Hive account@pinkchic - My sweet Pink. I've known you for a while now. Meeting you once was a tale to tell. Meeting you twice, is a charm 💗 Always here for you. Take all the time you need. It's not a race. Love you xx

I would love to mention some other special peeps on hive with whom I love connecting in the comments and occasionally in discord too hehe - they are all important to me...I just don't want to fall foul of any spamming rules for the contest... so I think a long list of tagged names may be frowned upon lol.

So I'm just gonna mention a handful (if you report me for spamming you'll be taken off the list!!! In more ways than one 😂):

Hive account@jaxsonmurph You brought me to Hive from Torum, held my hand and supported me ever since - thanks a million, pal!
Hive account@jamerussell It's always a good day when I get to connect with you, James! You are one of the nicest people on Hive. One of the most supportive and kind. I enjoy our occasional discord chats 💗
Hive account@litguru Dungeons and dra... I mean... handcuffs lol - just go back to sleep already hehe. Love you! and your writing... you are one of Hive's very best!!!
Hive account@riverflows Love your writing, darl - and YOU! - words are so delicious, right? Let's keep trying for once a week hehe.
Hive account@lordtimoty So supportive and helpful with my writing and a wonderful writer yourself. Let me know when you are back on Hive.
Hive account@grocko Always constructive and supportive and a wonderful writer.
Hive account@khaleesii You won me over with your very many little boxes of passion - in all shapes and sizes and varieties - love you! and your voice!
Hive account@iskafan Hive account@iskawrites If there's a line...you tread it hahaha, and cross it on purpose occasionally too ROFLLLLL - love you, sweet Iska.
Hive account@snook Your writing draws me in... I get mesmerised. Your laughter and joy are infectious, and you made me do it a couple of times on Hive already hehe. Love you, Snook! I hope to meet you in person this year, truly I do 💗
Hive account@mineopoly From pob-wotw days til now. You are a fabulous writer and you're pretty darn funny too. We've shared some awesome little chats in the comments about our kids and stuff... keep writing!!!
Hive account@mmykel Mfoniso - I always love connecting with you! You're an angel. And your writing is exploding! Boom!
Hive account@coquicoin Eli you're as prevalent on Hive as Tengo is lol... always looking for more ways to support people. It's always a treat to engage with you. I hope you are recovering well. Take care of yourself, sweet lady.
Hive account@ifarmgirl CJ! From read.cash to Hive and Dreemport... I've always loved connecting with you. Hope you and the farmboy are well... see you in #saturdaysavers hehe
Hive account@flamistan - the best damn girl dawg on Hive. Funny, eloquent, intelligent.. I miss seeing you and Hive account@barge around. I hope you are both taking good care of each other. ps: pass the sticks pleez
Hive account@hopestylist Dreemer of note. Thank you for caring enough to come alongside me in discord last year to ensure that I had a mentor to support the choices I was making in my life.
Hive account@erh.germany One the most insightful woman I have met on Hive. You think more deeply and intelligently than most people I have met in my life. And your writing is a delight to savour. Love you!
Hive account@grindan I love your sassy sense of individuality, your warmth, and your kindness. You're a free spirit and a fantastic writer, not to mention... a fabulous mom!
Hive account@kamarah You're a wonderful writer. Just keep being you and when you are ready... come back to Hive... pretty please 😊
Hive account@kei2 Oh my gosh, I love your writing, Kei! And you!
Hive account@atyourservice Start with love, right, hey Sugar?... and you do, always 💗
Hive account@joseph23 You're wonderfully supportive of all around you and pop in from time to time just to say hi and have a little chat - always so nice to see you🤗
Hive account@shadowspub Always in the shadows hehe... you're the number one live curation show host and so supportive. I love chatting with you on #PYPT.

It would be remiss not to share some love with some of the wonderful people I engage with who work tirelessly to bring community to the blockchain... Hive account@dreemsteem Hive account@jayna Hive account@wesphilbin Hive account@jamerussell Hive account@thekittygirl Hive account@dswigle Hive account@ablaze Hive account@trostparadox Hive account@millycf1976 Hive account@tattoodjay Hive account@enginewitty Hive account@melinda010100 Hive account@beeber Hive account@dibblers.dabs Hive account@jfuji

There are many more that I touch base with across Hive but this post is already over 2500 words long so I need to bring it to a close... just know that if we connect on Hive... then I love you too and I wish you all a Happy Valentines Day 💗