Happy Love Day

Handmade Valentines For Friends

Every Valentine's Day I watch with a mixture of curiosity and amusement as my family and friends react to the holiday. Some make such a big deal of celebrating -- expensive gifts, fancy dinners, dramatic declarations of love -- while some make almost no mention of it at all, and others make a big deal of NOT celebrating ("Happy Hallmark Day" as one friend put it).

Personally, I love this day. I think because it has always been more about the little things than any big expectations, more about the giving than the receiving, and more about the loving than the gifting. I've never expected much from the day other than an acknowledgement of the day and of love. Big gestures make me feel awkward and uncomfortable... and money has never equaled love for me (though I don't turn down expensive gifts, I certainly don't expect or ask for them). To me... if the love expressed on this day is deep and abiding, a simple, handwritten, handmade note is more than enough to celebrate. Diamonds are a nice gesture... but make me slightly suspicious -- what did you do, or not do, which made you feel that you had to give me something that expensive to prove that you love me?!?

We have been on a journey to simplify and save our resources for a while now, and while we still love to give each other things, Husband and I have agreed that future goals have a higher priority than our current whims. Our huge, exciting, lovely Valentine's/Birthday/Christmas/everything-else gift will likely arrive in a few months, so we agreed this year to forgo big gifts. We've even waffled a bit over going out to eat or not. I assume that at some point he will take me out to stuff my face with highly processed carbs at one of my favorite restaurants, but we're not huge fans of fighting crowds so we'll be waiting until well after the holiday rush on tables.

So I was a bit surprised this morning when I came downstairs and discovered a gift bag left for me on the counter. French Bread, Nutella, and a gift card to my favorite coffee shop (which I only frequent when I have a gift card for it, since it's so expensive). Husband certainly knows the key to my heart.

Isabel and I had Nutella toast for breakfast...and as I drank my coffee I thought again about how blessed we are to love and be loved so fully, honestly, and completely. To be surrounded by those who understand and appreciate us just as we are. Where there's no need for flashy gifts or showy declarations... just quiet moments of pure love and an intimate knowing of each other and what truly matters to us.

"I'm so lucky, Isabel."
"I'm so lucky, too, Mommy."


I hope your Love Day was just as sweet and perfect for you as mine was for me, whether you're a diamonds and roses kind of couple or a Nutella on toast kind of couple!