We all know that love isn’t just for one day. It’s all the time. Every day of every month of every year. I’m pretty sure that Valentine’s Day was something Hallmark, chocolatiers and florists invented together to boost their revenue in the long cold winter months. I think they got the idea from Christmas.
As a kid, it was just a fun day to exchange paper valentines and red candy (which is no longer acceptable because of red food dye fear) and to see how popular you were. When I was a child you gave valentines to your favorite people and it gave you the warm fuzzies. But that is no longer politically correct. If you are not going to give to the whole class then you’re not allowed to give at all. The world is so crazy and backwards. You still should be required to be kind to everyone but let’s face it, we are not friends with everyone. Ain’t nobody got time for dat!
At present, In our family, even though my kids are adults, they are not in relationships. And that’s just fine. When the right one comes along, they’ll know it and God will prepare them for it. There is a lot of extra heartache that comes from being in a relationship, even the right one. Better to be alone than in the wrong relationship. So for the time being, their parents are the ones that love them the most. So I do my best to let them know they are loved unconditionally and forever, by us. Valentines is just a day that we can affirm our love for others. It’s just fun. It’s also a good excuse for me to decorate and bake heart shaped food and buy candy and enjoy flowers etc.
It’s not about whether you’re in a relationship or not. Its totally ok to be alone. It’s not about judgement because you are single. There are a lot of heartbreaking relationships that also hate valentines connotations. I have let my husband off the hook in regards to great expectations. I dont need inflated price roses or expensive dinner out. Jewelry is nice but personal so I usually buy it myself (when I am employed) and everyone is happy. It certainly isn’t necessary. But Mike knows that if he doesn’t give me a card he is in the doghouse. I don’t care if he makes it himself. He outdid himself this year and purchased a beautiful one from my favorite paper store, Papyrus.
So we are staying home tonight to eat heart shaped pizzas and heart shaped red jello and probably watch the Olympics and this makes my heart flutter. To be with those I love most. In fact I feel this way anytime we are together enjoying each other’s company. Or listening to Andrew on one of his rants on a variety of topics. My favorite.
If valentines has any good purpose, let it be this. To learn to love everyone all the time. To be kind and generous everyday. To remember God’s love for us and pass it on. There is no one on this planet that is not loved by anyone because God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. People just need to know this and it’s our mission to make sure they do. Don’t just collect love, pass it on.
The Red Plaid Apron 