Valentine's Day Thoughts

Elizabeth's first Mercedes Marathon on Valentine's Day 2010.... Steve met us at the finish line with heart-shaped Krispy Kreme donuts... now, that's love!

I've never been a huge Valentine's Day person.  I think I like the thought of the whole thing, but it actually makes me a little sad.

I don't like that we have to be told to tell the people that mean the most how much we love them.  We should do that everyday.... and you should SHOW the people you love that you love them every single day.

And if you're single and not with anyone, you're supposed to feel bad and and feel left out?  Now, that's just wrong.

I didn't buy Steve a card.  I didn't buy Elizabeth a card.  Not a box of candy.  Not s stuffed pink animal or anything.  And it's liberating, I tell ya.

This morning, I woke up early, went to put the coffee on and my heart sank.  There was an envelope by the maker with my name on it.... in Steve's handwriting.  I opened it and pulled the sheet of paper out and burst into tears.  It was the sweetest note about how he didn't buy me a card, didn't get me candy, didn't order flowers, didn't make any reservations.... but just wanted me to know that he loves me and appreciates all that I do for our family.

Yep, that was better than anything.  It's something I will treasure for the rest of my life.  This is what this day is about..... words written from the heart.

Then I got to school and had a bag of candy-grams on my desk.  Sweet kids in the school used their dollars and bought me candy from the 8th grade. Did my daughter get me one?  Nope.  And, of course, I gave her a hard time about it...... but it's really not big deal.

Because that's not what our family is about.

Now, I don't mean to paint our family as this always happy, loving family.  Believe me, we scream, we yell, we tick each other off.... a lot.

But we aren't afraid to tell each other we love each other.  Ever.

So, tonight I will make a normal dinner..... one of Steve's favorites.... and I'm stopping by the store to pick  up some fresh fruit and dark chocolate because Elizabeth wants a chocolate fondue for dessert..... and we will spend the evening together.  And I'm going to soak up all the love I can.