What better day to write about Valentine’s Day than the day after? I just feel like February 14th is so saturated so why not switch it up?
Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. In elementary school, I used to look forward to the Valentine’s Party every year. All the kids would bring in shoe boxes and spend all week decorating them. I took the whole thing so seriously. One year my school had a competition for the best Valentine Box. I recruited my Dad and we (okay, mostly him) built a huge Plinko game out of a pink foam board. It was in the shape of a giant heart that led to a bucket at the end. The kids ate it up as they dropped their valentines from the top and watched it fall right into my bucket. There was no competition. I won that sucker the moment I walked in with that thing.
Like I said, I was serious about my valentines. I strategically put mine together. You know you did it too! Your favorite people got the best sticker, candy, card, and everyone else got what they got. I could hardly wait to get home and break open my box to see if I had a secret admirer. I did not. However, Christian gave me the Jeff Gordon Valentine from his Nascar kit and I feel like he was making a statement.
I have always loved Valentine’s Day, so when did I start dreading it?
When a young lady grows up she is practically groomed to despise the holiday. Girls are supposed to binge-watch romantic comedies and consume copious amounts of chocolate while they cry over boys. Every rom-com ever made depicts a woman who finds happiness once she meets a charming man. We are taught that we just are not complete until we have a significant someone. So when Valentine’s Day rolls around we feel immense sadness when we are single.
Valentine’s Day is not just about being with someone. It’s a celebration of love!
I have come to realize that love is more than a significant someone. No, it’s so much more than that.
Love is when your friend knows exactly what you’re thinking just by looking at you.
It’s when someone sends you a song that reminds them of you.
Love is when a person gives you their full attention when you are talking.
Love is when your mom cooks your favorite meal when you come to visit.
It’s the moment someone points out your quirky mannerisms and you realize they truly notice you.
Love is a text message from someone who just missed you.
It’s the support you receive when you post a selfie on Facebook.
Love is your sister buying you coffee when you are exhausted.
Love is so evident in our lives.
This Valentine’s Day I hope you know you are loved. I hope you do eat a ton of chocolate. Not because that is the stereotypical thing to do but because you can celebrate the love in your life. Maybe that love is a significant other, yay! Maybe that love is your family, sweet! Maybe that love is your closest friends, nice! Love is worth celebrating. So celebrate that you are loved!
