Today is Valentines Day. A day when we traditionally exchange notes and tokens of love and appreciation. Every year my husband brings me Tulips. This tradition began before we married on our first Valentines Day together. I love the flowers, and even more, I love the ritual of the exchange. It is an uncomplicated expression of our love. I never know how they are going to show up, but they do. This year I found them in the refrigerator in the produce bin. I thought I was getting out the salad for the evening’s dinner and there were my Tulips. I don’t even know how he snuck them in there!
My son and I spent last night writing out “Friendship” notes for his classmates and teachers.Today they will have a class party and exchange cards and candies. He only has a few more years of this elementary school custom before things become a little more maudlin and awkward in the middle and high school years.
This holiday is also an occasion for remembrance. Our family is still grieving the loss of my Father and Father-In-Law. They were loving men, and they are dearly missed. Recently, I’ve had friends and colleagues, although in their prime and with small children, suddenly perish. A part of this Valentines Day will be spent at a wake offering love and encouragement to family and friends of one of them.
Your holiday may be full of cards, balloons, fancy dinners, glittering gifts, modest flowers, or pizza delivery. Validate your love for the people in your life, both past, and present. Take extra time to show your true love how you feel. Here are fifteen ways to show your love.
1. Write a poem to share.
2. Give a card (with a fancy poem already written inside).
3. Plant something that will bloom.
4. Draw or paint a picture.
5. Make the bed.
6. Go for a walk together.
7. Look at the moon and the stars together.
8. Cook together.
9. Leave a love note on his/her pillow.
10. Read to each other.
11. Cuddle up and spoon.
12. Feed each other cake and ice cream.
13. Hold hands while watching TV.
14. Do the dishes.
15. Write a list of reasons you are in love. Put the list on the refrigerator door as a reminder for those days that aren’t so hot.
