Since I was a teenager, I have had an unusual affinity for love of country. But it was elevated to a passion when I went to my first Tea Party. I found kindred spirits in great numbers with a common thread: That there must be something we can do about our out-of-control government. These people all seemed to love their country and were for the most part passionate patriots. OK, so just what does it mean to be patriotic? What emotion comes to mind? Well, I think one could call it a pace-quickening allegiance to your country similar to the feeling of love for another being!