Why is it so difficult to love each other freely?  When the heart is open, all the unmet needs, longings, and wounds of a lifetime come rushing out, spilling over into what can feel like an amorphous mess.  Combine two or more people's messes together, and it's easy to lose sight of the safe and supportive dynamic that often lies beneath.  The good news is that when these old wounds arise in the context of a loving relationship, they can be known and understood, held and investigated.  The heart can stretch, break, and reconfigure into something much larger - a space that can include both the flaws and the beauty of ourselves and others.  In this space of deep understanding and acceptance, our whole being can rest.