The love maypole, a lovely German tradition. On the night of April 30th, young men place a small birch tree in front of their sweetheart's house or attach it to her balcony.

Usually, a young birch is used, as its fresh green color symbolizes new life and springtime feelings. The birch is decorated with colorful crepe paper ribbons. Often, a painted wooden or cardboard May heart bearing the name of the beloved is hung in the branches. In the past, there was often a secret color code for the ribbons, but today the rule is usually: the more colorful, the better. Often, the sweetheart's favorite colors are used.

Traditionally, the birch remains standing for a month. On June 1st, the tree is taken down. Ideally, the man who put it up receives a reward – often a case of beer from his father or (more romantically) an invitation to dinner or a kiss from his sweetheart.

There's just something incredibly beautiful and nostalgic about opening your window on the morning of May 1st and seeing this colorful symbol of affection.

It's like an analog declaration of love, one that someone has really gone to great lengths to create (and probably stayed up half the night). Getting a tree, secretly transporting it, and then silently attaching it without the neighbors calling the police is practically a feat of athletics.

When you first heard about it, it was on your mind all of April; you thought it was an incredibly beautiful idea.

You were sitting outside the evening before May 1st, your phone in your hand, when you texted Jay:

"Do you know the love tree tradition?" you asked him. "Wasn't that the tradition with the admirer and his beloved? You put a tree in front of her window, decorated with colorful ornaments?" he replied. "Yes, exactly, I imagine it's lovely," you simply said before going inside.

Something inside you told you that you wouldn't get a tree.

But the next morning, when you had given up hope and opened the balcony door, you couldn't believe your eyes. There stood a small birch tree, decorated with crepe paper in your favorite colors, and your name was engraved on a wooden heart.

Without hesitation, you grabbed your phone and called Jay. He answered, tired.

"Good morning, my angel. Why are you glowing like this?" he simply asked as he turned on his camera.