If eyes are the portals to the soul, then lips are the corridor to the mind. We react to thoughts with a smile, express love with words and intentions with a kiss. A Kiss can say many things that are difficult to put into words. A kiss is usually the first time that two people physically come in close contact with one another.

"Kissing is an art and a highly individual and personal expression of affection and love," said John L. Ferri, author of "Sex in the Romance: A Review of Romantic Encounters of the Close Kind."

Another anonymous source says that you shouldn't wait to know someone better before kissing him or her, you should kiss them first and then you will know them better. The beauty of the kiss is that it translates into every language and religion.

Vaughn Bryant Jr., professor and head of the anthropology department at Texas A&M, said in a "Chicago Tribune" article that the first erotic kiss was exchanged about 1500 B.C. in India. Prior to that time there is no evidence; (clay tablets, cave paintings or written records) that indicate the history of the kiss.

Bryant also said that rubbing and pressing noses together, a no-tongues exchange between lovers, became popular about 1500 B.C.

It was the Romans who unleashed the kiss, as we know it today. Romans kissed each other hello, kissed the robes and rings of their leaders and kissed statues of Roman gods to signify their submission and respect.

The Romans soon discovered that a kiss has many meanings and assigned words for these different types of kisses, such as osculum meaning friendship kiss, basium meaning passionate kiss, and savium meaning deep kiss, otherwise known as the French kiss.

From that point on, kissing encountered opposition from religion as a venial sin. However, the kiss triumphantly endured and thankfully so.

Therefore, if you want to be happy, healthy, successful, and live longer, you should kiss your loved one before you go to work each day.

by Kristi Sandlin