Love BIG

"Love is something eternal; the aspect

may change, but not the essence."

Vincent van Gogh

In case you didn't get the memo:  today is Valentine's Day.  I could regale you with tales of how this holiday came to exist, but I won't.  Instead I want to talk for just a moment about what Valentine's Day represents now. 

Judging from my facebook feed I suppose the overwhelming consensus is that Valentine's Day is all about romantic love.  My coupled-up friends are all wishing their significant others lovey dovey mushy days on their facebook status updates, and some of these updates are truly over-the-top gag worthy declarations of undying affection. Conversely, my single friends are all posting angry/bitter rants that are filled with enough ire to make me wonder if homocide rates increase on Valentine's Day.

I'm not sure I get it.  How does a Hallmark holiday have the ability to so overwhelmingly affect the emotions of so many people?  You're either experiencing some sort of elevated infatuation with your lovey-schnuggums or you're going through some kind of rage-filled single person love withdraw.  What for?  For a card and a box of chocolates?  I don't understand anymore.

I vaguely recall being in high school and getting all caught up in the hype of Valentine's Day.  I remember the joy I felt when Eric (my high school love) sent flowers to me at work.  I admit it did make me feel special to get flowers delivered right to my cash register.  I also remember a year without a Valentine.  I remember feeling a little bit left out because most of friends were coupled-up and going on dates, and I didn't have anyone to go on a date with.  That made me sort of sad.  I promptly decided that I did not need a significant other to go out and have fun. I had flowers delivered to myself and I went out to eat with another single gal (my best friend Emily) later that night.  My Valentine's Day wasn't ruined because I was single.  I still enjoyed my flowers (thought admittedly not quite as much as the flowers Eric sent me the next year) and my food, and it was really a pretty great day all around. 

But today my facebook feed is brimming with anger and bitterness and single people who think this holiday is just a day for all of us coupled-up folks to rub their noses in the fact that they're single.  There was a point in my life when I could understand that.  I don't understand it anymore.  Here's the thing--Valentine's Day is what you make of it.  Okay singles--don't get all pissy just yet, keep reading.

This past year (maybe two years) the universe has taught me more about unconditional love than anything else.  I've been walking a rocky path filled with trials, tribulations, and blessings--all of which served to show me that love is more important than anything else.  I have been blessed with two amazing, beautiful daughters and these two little girls have taught me more about love than any man or woman ever managed to teach me in the entirity of my life until them. 

Ava and Issa love the world.  They are enamored with the entire universe in a way that adults somehow forget to be.  They notice every petal on every flower.  They say, "Look how beautiful that is!"  They believe every single person they meet will be their friend.  My girls don't mind going between our house and their mom's house (my daughters are my daughters, but the rest of the world likes to use the word "step" to describe them).  They love all of their parents with complete abandon, and they don't mind sharing us....though I think sometimes all of the adults in their lives have a hard time sharing them (maybe we could all learn from our children on this one). 

My daughters have beautiful, untarnished souls.  They see beauty in everything and everyone.  Issa and Ava are not hesitant to show affection.  My refrigerator is covered in artwork and cards they've made Kenny and me.  They draw pictures of all of us together.  They like to point out we're a family and they're sisters to strangers in the check out line.  They bless us with hugs and kisses and random "I love yous" throughout the day. 

Issa and Ava are small, but they love BIG.  They love unconditionally.  They forgive easily.  So today I pray my girls will always love BIG, and I think maybe all of us should try to be like them and love BIG too.

Valentine's Day on the Cheap

If you're single then be sure to catch tomorrow's post! It's all about how to pamper yourself on Valentine's Day. 

Valentine's Day is not a holiday my husband and I tend to spend a bunch of money on.  A day set aside to celebrate love is a great idea--but in reality, Valentine was thrown in the slammer. You can read about that here.

In years past we have used Valentine's Day as an excuse to try out fancy restaurants we've never eaten at before.  When we don't do that, we try to find something creative and cheap to do. 


This year our budget is tighter than a fat man's belt so we'll definitely be going for the creative and cheap Valentine's Day.  I've compiled some ideas--some cliche and others not--for celebrating Valentine's Day on the Cheap.  Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments.

Plan a Picnic:  Picnics are fun, easy, and way cheap.  Pack a nice blanket to sit on and take your honey on a nature hike.  Don't live near a nature preserve, beach, or mountain range?  That's ok!  Head out to your local park. Lakes, rivers, and ponds are great ideas too. Are you in the city?  I'm sure your uptown area has a place with benches and modern art. Too cold?  Clear out your living room floor and add some candles to make the everyday scene new and special.

Pack mess free food--I recommend sandwiches.  Chicken salad sandwiches are easy and delicious.  You could also try a theme--how about a trip back to childhood?  Pack PB&J, string cheese, and an apple.  Throw in some fudge rounds and chocolate milk and you're set!

Walk the Dog: Yes, really.  You'd be surprised how much fun walking your dog can be.  My husband and I try to walk our dog together at least once a week.  We walk about two miles.  We hold hands.  We talk.  The dog sniffs everything and enjoys himself.  It's a lot more fun than it sounds.  Plus it's free.  You could also try taking the dog to a dog park. 

Cook a Meal Together:  Drag out the cookbooks and find something you can make together.  Not a chef?  Make some sugar cookies.  Remember helping your mom roll out the dough and cutting pretty shapes out at Christmastime?  Remember adding sprinkles and frosting?  Remember how fun it was?  Guess what?  It's still fun.

Take a Bath:  Add some bubble bath or bath salts to the running water, turn on some relaxing music, light a few candles, and enjoy.  My husband surprised me with a bubble bath for Valentine's Day a few years ago and it was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten.  If you're like me and you're always on the go nothing beats some quality relaxation time.

Pizza and a Movie Night:  Take a trip to your local Redbox. It only cost a dollar to rent a new movie.  Order a pizza or grab a frozen one from your local grocery, and you're all set.  You could even rent a movie you've already seen--that way you can talk while you watch.

Write a Love Letter:  It may sound corny, but if you're honest about how you feel it can be one of the most meaningful gifts your significant other will ever receive.  Not sure how to put what you feel into words?  Find a love poem that you really like and copy it down onto pretty stationary (just make sure you give the author credit).  Add a single flower and you're all set.  If you're an artist you could also try drawing or painting a picture for your heart's desire.

Go Somewhere New:  Whether its walking around downtown, window shopping at a new store, touring a local winery, or going on a meandering country drive--experiencing something new together is fun and keeps your relationship fresh.

I'm thinking the hubby and I will be doing the pizza and a movie thing this year.  It's fun and I can do it in my pajamas.  What are you doing to celebrate the holiday?  Do you have any cheap and easy ideas?  Please share!