So, in honor of Valentine's Day, romantic saps, and pipe smokers everywhere, I give you my love letter to my once favorite pipe. Enjoy... And note that you may find much of it familiar, as it's primarily comprised of quotes from the hopeless romantic's ultimate drug: romantic comedies.

A better companion I've never had. Before you, I was a ship wandering aimlessly in this traitorous sea of life. I was searching for land and hopelessly wondering if it would ever be found. Our paths crossing seemed, so serendipitous. I remember studying the curves of your body, wanting to hold you tightly. Your cheeks were as close to perfect as... well, as possible. You were the picture of excellence. I was smitten. 'It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together...' 'You had me at hello.' 'Love is too weak a word for what I felt -- I luuurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you, two F's, yes I have to invent, of course I do...' 'There you have it, folks. Young love. Full of promise, full of hope, ignorant of reality.' We've made so many memories together...Remember that time we were driving in the car, and you burned a hole in my pants. Life was good wasn't it?

Over the past several months, we've simply grown apart. Don't get me wrong. There's still fire between us. However, it just hasn't been the same. We're less like companions and more like office mates. I wish things could be different, but they can't. It is what it is. Don't say a word... There's no need. I know you better than you know yourself... 'You like boats, but not the ocean. You go to a lake in the summer with your family up in the mountains. There's a long wooden dock and a boathouse with boards missing from the roof, and a place you used to crawl underneath to be alone. You're a sucker for French poetry and rhinestones...' I know what you're thinking before you do. As you read this, I can see the wheels turning. You're thinking, 'You're breaking up with me because I'm too... blonde?' That's simply not true. 'Life is messy. Love is messier.' 'The heart wants what it wants.' And mine wants someone else. 'There's no logic to these things. You meet someone and you fall in love and that's that.' 'Better to have lost and loved than never to have loved at all.' Right? I see you wishing me ill. Your silence isn't fooling anyone. You're planning my demise... I know it. You're thinking, 'I'm very discreet but... I will haunt your dreams.' 'Our love fern! You let it die!' Well I'm sorry, but it's over. 'So, we're not getting married but I have to get rid of my pants?'

Whether your heart's been broken or you're pipe's still treating you well, we've got a plethora of fresh pipes to choose from. By the way, we're introducing a "new to us" set of carvers who happen to be quite appropriate to this particular day -- the Swedish pipemaking couple Love & Sara. So, check out Geiger pipes. Enjoy. I know I will.

 Brandon Bellegarde: Pipe Manager