It seems appropriate to discuss the love tree on the week of Valentine’s day. I had the pleasure of visiting St. Augustine, Florida. While I and my bride were there we enjoyed some great food at area restaurants, chilled on the beach and went on a carriage ride with a great tour guide. During our carriage ride we learned about the love tree that grows in St. Augustine. The guide told us there were only seven of these trees in St. Augustine.

From a plant perspective, the seed of a palm tree falls into a crack or hole in a crooked oak tree. It is damp enough in St. Augustine for the palm tree to soak up moisture from the oak tree’s bark, sprouts, and grow. The palm tree eventually sends down shallow roots that don’t interfere with the deep roots of the oak, leaving two different trees growing in the same space.

I prefer the local legend that one person planted the oak and the other the palm tree. They fell in love, and as their love grew the trees fused into one.

A Love Tree we saw on our trip.

The love tree is a great image that makes me think about marriage and the two people in love becoming one. I think that only truly happens over time with God’s help. Like the trees, we are two different people living in the same space, called home. Some factors on oneness to consider include:

• Prayer
• Invest Time Together
• Spending Time Apart
• Good Communications
• Affection

QUESTIONS

Q: Do you pray for and with your spouse?

Q: When was the last time just you and your spouse did something fun together you both enjoy?

Q: Do you have girl friends for wives or guy friends for husbands with similar values that you spend time with?

Q: Do you communicate clearly and regularly? Are you an active listener?

Q: When was the last time you held hands or hugged your spouse, “just because you love them”?

A CALL TO ACTION

Reflect on the five oneness factors mentioned and pick one to address. Do something you have not been doing to nurture your growth as husband and wife. Go fan that fire!