On Valentine’s Day

My husband and I don’t do Valentine’s Day. Not with each other.

Oh sure. We are happy to get a card and a little something for our son. Valentine’s Day was fun as a kid. In school, we used to decorate a box to receive our valentines in, and the teacher told us to give a valentine to everyone. Most people did. So for that one day, even the less popular kids had a lot of friends. I loved decorating up the boxes. One year, I made mine to look like Snoopy’s doghouse. It was awesome. I loved buying valentines for My Kid to give his class when he was in elementary school. And—he would give me one on Valentine’s Day morning. I still have one or two of those. My mother-and father-in-law send us valentines every year, too. That warms my heart.

The thing I hate about this particular holiday are the expectations. There is this jewelry company in Colorado that used to run an ad around this time every year that stated that this is the one day of the year to show someone how much you love them. I took great exception to that ad. We are worthy of love every day of the year, and certainly worthy to be shown that more than one day a year. I think more of myself than to think one day is all I deserve. Everyone should. And I think more of my husband than to think he can only show me love one day a year. And love is so much more than flowers, chocolate, and fancy dinners. He shows me he loves me when he fills up my car with gas on Sunday mornings, when he has dinner ready when I get home, when he goes along with my ideas, no matter how much work may or may not be involved. I show him love when I care for him when he is sick, when I take care of the dog, when I go the soccer games, when I giggle at his silliness. I show mom I love her when I order her groceries, when I stop by to see her, when I send her a text. She shows her love when she puts in her hearing aids when I stop by, when she listens to me, when she checks in on me.

Love can be shown and celebrated any day, every day, in countless ways. You don’t need a special day, or a special way, or a lot of money, to show someone that you love them. And just because you may not have a “special someone” to celebrate the day with, doesn’t mean that you aren’t loved. Don’t let Valentine’s Day make you feel that way. Look around you. Chances are, you are loved.

Love is a choice. Every single day. You might fall in love, but it takes work to stay there. This is true with spouses, significant others, friends, family. Every day you wake up, you have a choice.

Choose Love.

And…..Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,

Kathie