So here we are on Valentine’s Eve. The big day of love is upon
us. It’s a day I have always had mixed emotions about. I think so many of us
really do. For some it’s a fun holiday. For others, it’s day they wish they
could just skip over.
It’s kinda like coconut…you either love it or hate it.
I’ve had moments where I too have hated it. However, I’m now one of those that love it! Feel
free to eye roll here, but hear me out. It’s not for the reasons you may think.
I was never the super popular girl who had valentines from
all the boys. I didn’t have any. From any boys. Pretty much ever. I was a
chubster, who was nearly 6 feet tall by 6th grade, had glasses and a
bad perm. The eighties were not kind to me friends. However, that’s not my point. Just know
that I can relate to the Josie Grossie’s of the world, to Bridget Jones singing
Celine Dion “All by Myself” dreaming of her Mark Darcy.
I spent many years in school wishing and hoping that this
year I would get a rose from an admirer. I remember hearing the rose cart approach
our classroom, and Id think maybe this year?! It was usually the same three popular
girls who received so many they ran out of desk space. Seriously why do they do this in school? Brutal.
My point is that I am not your typical person who should
love this day. I have spent the majority of these days single. When it comes
down to it, whether we hate it or not, this holiday comes. Luckily I had an amazing mom, she always made
this day special for me and my sister. She always had candy or fun socks,
something to celebrate the day. It always made the day a little brighter. I had
something to look forward to.
A few years ago, I learned an important lesson. I was
inspired by a post by Jen Hatmaker (who else). She was baking cookies and
making notes with her kids to give and pass out to the homeless. It got me thinking. I recently had been
gifted a few huge bags of candy from a friend who worked for a chocolate
company…which, let’s face it, wasn’t doing me any favors by having it around.
I decided to follow her lead and put it the candy to good use. I put them in ziplock bags along
with homemade notes I made with the kids. I loaded up my kids, who were 2 and 4
years old and headed into Minneapolis. It was no easy task. We were stuck for some
time in Valentine’s Day traffic with two small kids and my car is DVD-less. When we finally emerged from our car, tired
and thinking I made a mistake. We quickly rebooted our attitudes when we began passing
our valentines out and wishing people a Happy Valentine’s Day.
 |
| I forget how little they were. |
It sounds silly and simple I know, but it was the most
precious Valentine’s Day I ever had. Seeing the faces of the people we gave
them to, hearing the stories of their days, and the conversations are some I
will never forget. My then-4 year old, now 9, still remembers this day too. I can
still close my eyes and see the joy in his face as he handed them to everyone. He
wasn’t shy or awkward about it, he gave so freely and happily. I wanted to make
it a yearly tradition, and then I had the twins and leaving my house required
mass planning and extra hands on deck. But I want to bring it back, it needs to
return!
I learned that day, as Amy Grant says (I love Amy and I
throw her in whenever I can), it’s all about the love, and that indeed it is
such a hard day for so many. A smile and
a warm gesture not only can change their day but yours too. We feel a little
less alone, a little more connected to one other.
I have come to love this day. I love making it special for my
four little Valentines. We have our own traditions, and I look forward to it
every year. I want them to know how loved they are, though it may be a
commercial holiday it’s another day to make others feel seen and loved. I want
them to know that we can look in our own corner of the universe and try to make
it a little brighter for those around us.
So tomorrow, instead of dwelling on the lack of Valentines
you may receive, I encourage you to look around your world and share some love.
Last but not least, be kind to yourself, we are not losers if we are single on
this day. We are worthy of love! So go
and give it -- shake off the negative words that you may normally tell
yourself, buy yourself a beautiful cup(this is how I refer to coffee) and maybe
for someone else too. Have fun with the day, change it up, find a way to celebrate
the day of love!
Love is free, valentine or not, I am a hopeless romantic and
believe that love is all around us if we open our eyes. You never know how it
can change the moment, day, or life of someone. Maybe the person who changes is
you.
Happy Valentine's Day!
