{Source: sissyprint.blogspot.com}

I’m not gonna even try to pretend.

I love Valentine’s Day.

Is it a holiday hyped up by retailers the world over? Yes.
Is it often an over-the-top display of consumerism? Yes.
Is it the holiday that blatantly excludes {singles}? Yes.

But, I love it anyway.
And I’ll tell you why.

I love, love.
Despite the countless reasons {and there is a freakin’ laundry list} that should have made me run the other way from love, I have always believed in it. Always felt it was possible. Always felt it was worth fighting for. Always!

And Valentine’s Day is just one more way to celebrate love.
It’s all what you make of it.
Life. Relationships. Valentine’s Day.

So I decided, just a few years ago, to change the way I feel about V-Day.
To embrace it’s real message. Of love. And celebration.
Admitting that I loved this holiday, was a bit like coming out.
In the past, I’d expressed a few not-so-positive feelings about it.

Choice words that I may {or may not} have used in the past:
Cheesy. Sappy. Lame.
Over-hyped. Let down. Too many expectations.
Silly. Disappointing. A commercial spectacle.

Deep down though, I kinda loved it.
Who was I kidding?!
I am a heart wearing, rose loving, Hallmark giving, Romantic {with a capital R, thank you very much}.

So, I chose to get real with myself.
There’s nothing wrong with loving Valentine’s Day.
Some people may not share my affinity. But that’s okay.
It’s not easy to admit something the might bring on the haters. But it’s worth it.
Just like love.

So, today, I challenge you to join me.
In support of your own version of Valentine’s Day.
Whatever that looks like.
One that favors uniqueness.
Personalized celebration.
And showering love on not only someone else – but yourself!

A few thoughts . . .

. . .if you’re partnered
Make your honey feel something.
Take them on a journey through the highlights of your relationship.
Revisit old stomping grounds.
Make a mix of the songs you fell in love to.
Better yet, write them a song.
Compose a love letter.
Create something special.
No matter how small, it’s the gesture, the thought and the love that matters.

. . .if you’re single {or not}
Why not have a love affair? With yourself.
Who says you need a partner to feel the love?
It’s often said that you don’t attract love, the kind that goes the distance, unless you love #1 first.
#1 being you.
True, loving yourself is a daily, lifelong process.
But it’s a process. And you gotta start somewhere.
Spend this Valentine’s Day loving on YOU.
Indulge. Get a spa treatment. Buy yourself a chocolate truffle {or three}.
And when you’re done giving it up for #1, spend an equal amount of time giving the love to someone else.
There may not be a romantic partner in your life, but why not spread the love to others who need it.
Volunteer. Mentor. Give hugs. Serve meals.
Share.
The love.

So, how do you plan on celebrating this Valentine’s Day? Got any suggestions for us?
Let me know in the comments below.

Hugs + Kisses,