Rob and I have never really celebrated Valentines Day. We’ve always called it a Hallmark
Holiday. No one is going to TELL
us when we should do nice things for each other. We will do it when we choose on our own time. Who's with me?!?
The problem is though, we rarely do.
With a 3 year old and a 5 month old, a house, jobs, and
whatever else comes along with it, my husband and I barely have enough time to
even look at each other… and some days we don’t. There are nights I go to bed and think to myself “did I even
give him a hug or a kiss today? I
know I kissed my children 547 times, but did I kiss him even once?”
This past summer I had a terrible health scare during my
pregnancy. It landed me in the
hospital for 6 weeks with numerous operations and procedures. I almost lost my life 5 or more
times. There were nights that I
thought I should pull out a pen and paper and write ‘good bye letters’ to my husband, son, family and friends
(not that I could have because I was so sick). Miraculously, I came out alive and am still on the road to
recovery. My daughter came out
just fine… a TOTAL miracle.
Since ‘Health scare’ 2012 I have noticed that I approach
life quite differently than days of old.
I actually take time to ‘stop and smell the roses’. I revel in doing nice things for
others. Make a meal for a family
in need, give a smile to the old man in the grocery store, or hold the door
open for the woman with the stroller.
Just little, simple things, and it’s amazing how good it makes me feel
to give and not expect anything in return. I didn’t used to do this, and now I make it my goal to do something
nice for someone else everyday.
So, when Valentines Day rolled around this year I wanted to
express my love to, well, my loved ones.
We made & decorated heart-shaped cookies and put together little
gift bags for our family and friends.
I did a mini photo session of my children and turned a few of my
favorite pictures into their Valentine Cards.
I put together Valentine bags for my children and husband
and gave them to them after their special V-Day dinner (complete with
heart-shaped ice cubes in their water glasses). The next night my husband and I went out for OUR Valentines
Day date. We participated in a
‘Partners’ Yoga class (highly recommended!) and went out to a REALLY nice
dinner in a trendy part of town.
We had a delicious meal and laughed and chatted while we talked,
miraculously, not about the kids!
At a time in our lives where we are sucked into the hustle
and bustle, I think it’s nice to have a holiday that makes us stop and do nice
things for those we care about most.
I mean, what’s so bad about a holiday that celebrates LOVE?!?
Heads up, Robbie, I’m celebrating every year from now on.
Ps: these are the flowers my husband gave me… aren’t they
WONDERFUL?
