Oh, another Valentine’s Day Wednesday that falls on my blog day. That happened back in 2018 so yes, I checked. I haven’t written on this holiday though as the dates were all messed up. I believe at that time it was book news so my post wasn’t February 14. Guess it’s a first once again. My husband and I got engaged on Valentine’s Day and knowing him like I do, very unlikely day to propose 23 years ago. He likes regular days without the fuss. I remember writing on our 20th wedding anniversary a few numbers back so now we get the engagement which BTW, was a Wednesday back in 2001. How about that? The reason I know this is because “The Drew Carey Show” was on and we loved it. I do have a pretty good memory, but he actually remembers that too. There was a fire in our fireplace 🔥which was nice and cozy and I was on the floor warming up on a blanket. He put the ring box on my belly and asked me to marry him. 💍 Nothing too romantic as I’ve had to “train” him over the years but it was cute and simple. Of course I said “YES!” and our love story continued. Oh, he did have the ring over Christmas but chickened out. I was glad because both my sisters had gotten engaged on a Christmas Eve overtime. I need to be different and totally am…
Speaking of that word in our story, yet ANOTHER first. This I also checked on. I have never ever used that word of love in ANY title, over 350+ of them. I couldn’t believe it when I did look at all my writings recently. Wow. Even topics such as the Golden Era WWF days. Nope, no love in those titles although I did LOVE it back then. Not to mention all the numerous other topics over the past almost 7.5 years. Warrior is a big part of that word in several ways so perhaps I just avoided it because of criticism, judgment, and all those naysayers. It is a super broad word that covers everything and everyone for sure. With people though, it’s very different then let’s say your love of nachos which is one of mine. 😉 I know we can all agree on that but it’s *** HOW*** we use the word which truly matters. As shocked in a way how it hadn’t been in a title, guess I am really not that surprised. Now though- I felt the need to finally bring it out on this holiday after all.
Even if without a romantic possibility to any of you readers, you can date yourself as the expression goes. We’ve even had GALentine’s yoga classes or anything similar. Do something for YOU that you truly love. It doesn’t even have to be that costly at all. Believe me on this, as I had many dateless Vdays but tried my hardest to make it count, even if those around me got attention from their significant other. When my kids were little, I gave them Valentines like a small box of chocolate or those candy hearts. I never liked those hearts, but boy have the messages changed. Now, instead of “call me,” it’s “text me,” or something in this age. We probably all can remember making those decorated boxes to use for school. My mom was not very creative and we had to buy much from the store. Years later when I became a mom, I had a go to craft box that was always stocked full of many fun things. Some of that started because of my years teaching but not all. I can honestly say~ I don’t miss those days. Many times with my littles I DO miss but this memory, not so much. Who even keeps shoeboxes around anymore? Sometimes it would be lunch bags which were easier to decorate but harder for kids to carry.
I volunteered in my daughter’s preschool for this exciting party day many years ago now. I was room mom for my son so now it was her turn. It was SO different being the parent and not the teacher. I didn’t want to be critical, but it was chaotic and stressful to say the least. 😳 I had flashbacks to working with preschoolers and how at one center, I decided to organize this day which they incorporated into the activities. It flowed so much better and every kid got that individual chance to place Valentines, and in turn receive. No more upset parents with their child bringing home a teacher card ungiven, or their little not receiving one from their BFF. Oh those emotional days… To me, the handing out seemed to be common sense like much planning is but for some, I guess it’s difficult to grasp.
If any of you don’t have the best memories or experiences with this word of LOVE, go make some. It’s up to you to celebrate it anyway you’d like that fills you with joy. People might say that there’s nothing sadder than buying yourself 💐 or having a spa day alone, but I totally disagree. If we can’t love ourselves, who else really can? It is a challenge practicing that self-love but oh, so worth it. Why is it such hard work to look at ourselves in the mirror and say those 3 words, but easier saying it to another? That’s because we find all our faults and failings but we’d never do that with a friend. It’s not vain to complement ourselves as I’ve said before, but just don’t let that ego creep in thinking you are better than others or superior. The self-love comes in when we lift ourselves up for trying our best in whatever it is and not bringing ourselves down. Kids need that self-esteem boost, but so do we as adults! List your accomplishments- little or big and celebrate them. List your LOVES… Actually write them down and read it. I hope it makes your day special. ☺️
So, love and other stuff will always be around however you find it and make it yours. Whatever this day brings, I hope you don’t dread it but embrace it since you ARE love. We ALL are. This post was needed after a few intense wrestling ones as I hope you all felt some lightness and those good vibe feelings. Let’s just not bring “Brother Love” along. 🙄The word of love means so much more than a character on TV… That it does… 😌
P.S. “Love is not something we give or get, it is something that we nurture and grow.”
~ Brene Brown from “The Gifts of Imperfection.” ~~~ A WONDERFUL book! 🤗🥰❣️😍💖💘💝💗💕
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