I admit right now, I'm not into bondage. I don't own any cuffs that this awesome little padlock would work well with. I have no use for a padlock in my bedroom other than to lock the box we store our toys in, and we've already got a nice big one to do that job.

So why did I want this? What use could it have?

Well for one thing, it's super cute. It's heart shaped and 1 1/2 inches in size, I mean, who couldn't love it? But it's what I did end up doing with it that I think will give this padlock its worth.

A very dear friend of mine that I'm becoming quite cordial with was there when I tore into the box. I pulled out the lock and removed it from the package, and then ran to the bathroom to grab a necklace that I bought a long time ago. I opened the lock and hooked it to the necklace, that oddly enough resembles chain, and asked him to help me with the clasp.

“I want you to have one of the keys. I’m giving the other to my husband but I want you to have this one.”

Just as symbolically as it was meant, he was very touched that I would give him one of the two keys to my heart. He and my husband both keep the keys in their wallets, and it's significant because this friend of mine is the first person we've opened our marriage up to after deciding to be open for a very long time.

So maybe that's not what the lock was meant for, but as jewelery--significant jewelery, symbolic jewelery, it's awesome.

As far as caring for the lock, it's made of metal so if for whatever reason your padlock needs cleaning, it can be boiled or be bleached (10% solution), put in the dishwasher on the top shelf, or simply washed with soap and water. I wear the necklace with the padlock in the shower, and will report back if there is any rust or tarnishing over time.

Unfortunately the padlock sort of tarnished on the back and the front got all scratched up. Still doesn't mean I don't like it. I still LOVE it and the whole story inspired a series of tattoos on my guys.