There, I found this on a fence on one side of a bridge.
Love locks.
But I didn't know that then. When my spouse and I spied the locks at one end of the pedestrian bridge spanning Choconut Creek, I remembered about a bridge in Paris that had become so covered in these locks that the city had to remove them.
Turns out the love lock tradition can be damaging to both bridges and the environment.
The theory is, two lovers declare their love by fastening a lock onto a bridge (usually writing their initials on the back of the lock) and then throwing away the key. The lock rusts and weighs down the bridge. The key rusts away in the river the bridge spans.
At least, most of these lovers used key less locks. But still, the thought is a good one.
What we need now is love, sweet love.
Love can be a beautiful thing, especially in this age when hate seems to be ruling us more and more.
Thinking, as I write this , of the remaining teens and soccer coach trapped in the cave in Thailand and how the world has focused on them, and the hundreds of volunteers. And the divers (one already has died) risking their lives to save these young men. As of right now, 10 boys are out, with two boys and their coach still in the cave.
It's humbling, seeing the world pull together. If only we had a wall of locks for that.
Day 10 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #BlogBoost
The love locks idea sounds cute, and I’m sure the lovers don’t know why it isn’t such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI am also following the news fromThailand. Scary how those kids got stranded.
I am so glad these boys are being rescued, yet I can’t stop thinking about the 3000 children being held in cages and separated from their parents. They need our love too.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad so much focus is placed on the hurtful things . There is so much good being done every day by ordinary people that never gets any attention.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of this - how interesting!
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't like the practice because of the damage it causes, the sentiment is wonderful. As I am reading, all of the Thai boys have been rescued and it is inspiring when people pull together to help each other. I wonder what alternative we could create to locks to express this love and focus it?
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I had never heard of Love Locks before. I like the idea but can see how its not practical for the bridge!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely sentiment. I'd take the environmental impact if more people committed to loving others, especially all the people who are nothing like them. We do need more love in the world. Especially right now.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the folks who want to express their love to buy flexbands and burn their initials into them. They won't cause differential corrosion on the bridge or weigh down the span
ReplyDeletehope they stay true to their pledge
ReplyDeleteI always thought locks on bridges was a charming idea and didn't consider the consequences. There's a downside to everything! Also an upside - all of the boys and their coach have now been rescued in Thailand. The world breathes a collective sigh of relief!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I totally understood their having to remove the locks. But I still thought it a little sad.
ReplyDeleteI had seen a move about Love Locks and thought it was neat but didn't know people had actually done it. And as for the Coach and the boys I Pray they get them out soon and for the family whose loved one past away.
ReplyDeleteOh, a lovely post, Alana! I would never have thought locks could cause problems on my own. And how do people think up these ideas of declaring love anyways? Just be kind and loving. So happy that all the boys and the coach are rescued. Truly awesome!
ReplyDeleteLily
I had no idea that's why they put locks on things. I don't think I've seen them on bridges, but I have seen them on chain link fences someplace or other. Interesting concept, but not something I'd be even a little bit tempted to do.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a nice concept, securing and locking the love between two people forever! Wouldn’t have given a second thought about the consequences the bridge and the environment has to bear as a result if you hadn’t mentioned about it in the post. Loved that click.
ReplyDeleteI like the sentiment the love locks. But like you said it is bad for the environment. And incidents like the one in Thailand remind us that humanity still exists in the world.
ReplyDeleteI am following the rescue too.Its amazing what humans can acheive when not fighting .
ReplyDeleteCool shot! And so amazing that all the Thai boys and their coach were rescued.
ReplyDelete