Lisa Byrne

If we were to discuss such a question then, according to Hallmark, now would be the time.

A friend sent me this image via email this evening with subject line: Wonder if you will ever give this out. My fast and humorous response advised him that it would take some man. In the aftermath I wondered what that means? And do I love my iPad more than my iPhone? (Yes, I did ask myself that for a moment — have you met me?)

But, all jokes aside, I started to think about what my iPad (or iPhone) represented in my life and the answer was glaringly obvious: my network, my community. The majority of my time spent on such devices is about connecting to people I know or share common interests with. Occasionally I need GPS or search options to find something, but mostly it’s about others in my life helping me get to what those things are. What should I buy? Where should I eat out? Do we like these shoes? (Okay, personally I only text that one to my sister). What should I go see when I’m in Mexico next month? Oh, and there’s the “I’m in Mexico :P” posts (coming to you this March) and “Read my damn blog” posts, etc. You get the picture…

I am who I am because of whom I have chosen to surround myself by. Who’s worth giving that up for? These images are in jest, but the conversations around relationships and social networking are real. I often hear people say they can only date people who roam within their online networks (i.e. get and understand social media) as only they can understand. I meet people who refuse to date within their online networks as they feel it’s something for them to have private, or a getaway as such.

Honestly, we are all different creatures, wired each in our unique way. But for me, to say I would love someone more than my iPad or iPhone would discredit the people who have helped carve who I am as a person today. So, the answer is No!

Happy Valentine’s Day and thanks for sharing my iPad, I love having you there!