The Original Instant Message

Today at lunch I went to the bookstore to get a new book I've been thinking about, then straight to Blimpie around the corner to grab a quick club on wheat. My usual. A little provolone, mustard, mayo, lettuce. Perfecto. I'm simple like that. As I'm standing in line to pay, I notice an ad by the register boasting the tag line, "The original instant message." It is overlayed on a picture of a young woman (mid-20's) sitting in her car, with her man leaning in for a kiss. The subtext of the ad said, "Make Face Time." It was a promo for Dentyne mints (which Blimpie happened to be selling right by the register.)

Anyway, it made me think. A good ad should do that. My first train of thought began with thinking about Ryan (I'm sure the man/woman kissing picture influenced that). I smiled as I thought about how much I love that he makes a point of giving me a kiss very first thing when I walk in the door (or when he comes home from work). Or when we wake up. Before anything else, the kiss. To let me know he loves me. The original instant message. I think sometimes we get busy in life with kids, work, errands, homework, house, church callings, hobbies, life, etc. and don't take the time to let our husbands know that they still rock our world. It was a good little reminder for me. Ryan does rock my world and he needs to know that - always.

The mind reels that there could be more, I know. But after this train of thought had flown down the tracks, the kaboose followed with a little more reflection. I liked the word play on the original instant message, as it clearly drove home the point that in today's world, everything seems to be about the media. Good old fashioned communication (actual talking and face-to-face interaction) often gets replaced with texting, emailing, Facebooking, online chatting, twittering, etc. Don't get me wrong - those things can be good, in moderation, and certainly have their place and time. Sometimes the quick text is a life saver. Sometimes reconnecting with an old friend on Facebook is the only way. But when it comes to really sending a message that matters, to someone we care about, nothing can replace a little real face time, some real affection, the original instant message.