Valentine’s Day…What it really means to me

It’s that time of year when spouses and partners feel added pressured to find the perfect flowers, sweetest treats or wonderful gift wrapped in pretty paper or a gift bag. For that reason many wish the upcoming holiday could be just another day. 

The particular holiday I’m referring to, of course, would be Valentine’s Day. 

But Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a dreaded holiday…it should be just another day to celebrate the love you have with those you care about. Hopefully without pressure to do so.

This summer the hubby and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, but we’ve been together for a total of 34 years, so we’ve enjoyed celebrating the sweetheart holiday for awhile. But sometimes it feels like any other day because I’m fortunate that I don’t have to wait for a holiday to prompt my better half to show or tell me what I mean to him. Honestly, I wouldn’t know the difference if we didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day at all.

What?  No Valentine’s Day? 

I know…it’s an awful thing to say.

I say this only because I’m lucky enough to have someone who tells me every single day of the year how much he loves and adores me. Some days he’ll also bring home a sweet surprise, usually dark chocolate to have with my tea. I’m getting mushy, but it’s the truth. I’m extremely thankful that it doesn’t take a particular holiday to guarantee my receipt of the affectionate words and hugs every partner should hear and receive daily. He gives them to me freely, constantly and without end. In my book, he is one of a kind.

My hope is that many of you have also found your one true love who isn’t afraid to express themselves, so you know exactly what I’m talking about. Even so, I can understand you might also enjoy Valentine’s Day if it’s one more reason to receive flowers and candy. 

I enjoy flowers and I love dark chocolate but what I really enjoy about Valentine’s Day is not the flowers that will eventually wilt, or the chocolate that might add inches to my hips, but the mark of another year together as we celebrate another holiday, no matter which holiday it is. I feel fortunate to have been able to celebrate however many holidays there are in a year with my soul mate for the past 30+ years. 

Wow.  Now it’s hitting me…

We’ve been together a long time…but we’re not that old! In my opinion, anyway. =)

This reminds me of a funny introduction a few years ago at one of my book signings. An older man and his wife entered the store who I had never met before, but it turned out the man had worked with my husband about 23 years prior. The man and my husband instantly recognized each other and when my husband introduced me, he also mentioned that we had been together for almost 26 years at that time. 

Know what the man’s response was? 

“When did you get together? When you were five?”

I immediately liked him very much.

Even if I have a leave-it-or-take-it attitude about Valentine’s Day, I will celebrate the holiday because it’s a day to celebrate and express the love you have for others. And not just for your spouse or partner; other loved ones also enjoy attention on this holiday. I’ve already sent out cute Valentine’s Day cards to a few special people in my life. It doesn’t hurt to make sure those you love know how special they are to you and if for no other reason, that’s a very good reason to celebrate any holiday.

However you enjoy Valentine’s Day, and whoever you enjoy it with, I wish you a wonderful day!