My first memories of valentines day were heart-shaped pancakes and making valentine mailboxes. There were parties and card making. I loved making valentine cards. There were bags of candy and lots and lots of love! February 14th was awesome as a kid thanks to my mom, mostly.
When I got older there were a couple rough years, like there always are during the years of change and stretching somewhere between 14 and 17. But during even those years there was a bag of goodies on the kitchen table every 14th and there were valentine flowers from my lifelong valentine, Kristin. There were a couple good cries, but after those there were chick flicks and long drives full of laughter and my mom's arms around me tight.
On Valentine's day of 2009 I was falling in love. I was giggly and my heart was fluttery around a guy I was just getting to know. We were spending hours every day talking about our loves and hates and what we wanted our lives to look like. We were in India. Together we were spending all day in the heat loving the unloved of India. We were spending the evenings talking on the rooftop far later than we should have. It was the glorious time of wondering and hoping. And with every smile I felt like the most special girl in the world.
The next two valentines days were spent with my love. We were crazy in love and enjoying life. Last valentines day I knew change was a moment away. I knew I would marry this man. I was excitedly hoping for a beautiful diamond ring. I had a very good feeling the next valentines day would be special.
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| our first valentines day |
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| I made poor cold Matt walk around the capital with me |
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| church on Valentine's Day |
This year Valentine's Day was spectacular if for no other reason than the fact that we were Mr. and Mrs. Stuessy. It wasn't anything extraordinary. We were both gone most of the day and didn't get home until late. I managed to make a delicious meal, one of Matt's favorites, without too many tears. We ate a fantastic candlelight dinner listening to my Frank Sinatra Pandora station. We spent the night snuggling and talking. There were small presents given and many, many kisses. I felt so full and overflowing with love and hope that I wish I could have married my husband again right then. It was a blissful night. I can't wait for next year and the next and the next....
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| apple pork chops, sweet potatoes and fresh bread with apple pomegranate sparkling juice |
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| I made neapolitan cheesecake as well. It was delicious!!! (even though it didn't look too beautiful) |
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| Matt bought me a gift bag full of candy. It is probably about 4lbs worth of Reeses and Kit-Kat. |
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| Matt's note. (he is allergic to peanut butter, so it wasn't personal.) |
So, these are some of the reasons I love February 14th. I love this day because it is a celebration of love. What could be a better reason to celebrate than love? You don't need to have a husband or boyfriend to celebrate love. There is so much love everywhere I look. I see tall trees and warm sun on my face and feel God's love. I got a v-day card from my grandma and grandpa and feel so much love. I go to volunteer and feel so much love from those people I am helping. I get a call from my mom and feel love. I get a picture of my niece in the mail and feel love. How can I not celebrate something this amazing? I want to celebrate this kind of love every day. I only wish I could eat 4lbs of chocolate everyday and not weigh 500lbs.
So, for all those valentine haters out there... look around. I promise you can find a reason to celebrate love. You don't have to buy 300 v-day cards if that isn't your thing. You don't have to buy someone flowers if you think it is to unoriginal. But, don't make excuses to not celebrate something as life saving as love.
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