Pre-Valentine's Day....

So, here it is the day before Valentine's Day, and my question to you is, "what are you going to do about Valentine's Day?"  Over the years, life happens, and Valentine's Day hasn't meant as much as it did previously.  When I was growing up, it was all about passing out valentines to friends, and receiving them back.  Even when I was 'grown up' and working, it was always fun to make a big deal of the day, bringing in valentine goodies - and chocolate - to share with everyone.

I don't know when it changed.  Or is it that I changed.

My heart still longs for the romance, the fun, the laughter, the joy of surprises, the love.  But all that seems to have gotten lost over the years.  Have I mellowed out?  I don't know.  Has life taken over and buried all the fun of the day?  Probably.  And it could be I didn't work hard enough to keep it alive.  Oh, I will still get the romance stuff, but it just isn't the same.

Why do people make such a big deal about one day?  When I was younger I would have all kinds of answers for you, but today I have none.  Maybe I will come up with something for tomorrow's blog, providing I have time to input one.  I got to work early and was able to get online without interruptions - yet - and here I am.

But back to Valentine's Day.  It used to be a really fun day - moreso in that I could bake cookies or a cake and take to work and just celebrate the day with others.  For me, it isn't just about 'one person'.  I've been married for a long, long time.  Love shouldn't be any different tomorrow than it is today, if you know what I mean.

There should always be love and respect, courtesy, kindness, and all that stuff - daily, not just on Valentine's Day.  Why not choose a day when you can sneak away and go to dinner and make a big deal of your affections then?  THEN it would mean more than "celebrating" the same day as everyone else.  Since when do you march to the same drummer?  Just saying.

My brother has already made reservations at a very nice restaurant to take his wife and will be taking a rose there to be given to her (without her knowledge) when they arrive.  He will also have roses at home for her.  I don't know all his plans, but he is doing it up big.  Haven't heard if my sissy is doing anything or not.  Nor have I heard about my kids and what they are doing.

I'm content with just letting the day go by and surprising my hubby another time and kidnapping him for a weekend and going somewhere.  But, alas, he and I don't always see eye-to-eye (shocker, I know) and he wants to make a big deal of it all.  Well, we did make some changes to what his original plans were, and the plans are for the weekend versus tomorrow as I have to work all day and then we have our group study tomorrow night.  His original plan was for us to go to a hotel for Saturday night and just get away.

I've convinced him that we will take Marley to the 'pet hotel' Saturday and Sunday so that we don't have to deal with her all day (she is a lot of maintenance!!).  That in itself is a vacation.  We will stay at home (and save money) and chill out and watch movies, play games, order takeout and just relax at home.  I am not sure what his plans are, but I am sure I will be bored before Saturday afternoon if he doesn't let me do anything.  I'll have to see if I can't think of something to do so that we can at least get out of the house.  He doesn't plan to share me.  Sigh.   I guess I should be appreciative of that, but all it does is make me feel smothered. 

Have I 'outgrown' Valentine's Day?  I don't think so, I think that life - past and present - has changed my view of the day.  For those that need a special day to appreciate their spouse or their loved one, that is perfect.  Hubby and I tend to do special things throughout the year so a day selected for us is boring.  At least to me.  Do I need an attitude change?  Oh, I will be appreciative of all that hubby does to make the weekend special.  He does try. 

The greatest love one could ever have is the love of Christ.   Christ loved us so much He laid down His life for us.   There is no greater love.

I hope you take the time to plan something special for the one you love.  Valentine's Day is more than chocolate and cards.  It is a sharing of emotions, of feelings, of laughter, of joy, of life.  Don't use lack of finances as an excuse not to do anything; I've 'handmade' my cards numerous times due to lack of cash.  I think those are treasured more than the bought ones - and I can get it to say what I want it to say.  You can fix a special dinner; include your children in doing special things for your spouse.  They will enjoy celebrating too.  Make plans today - and make them count.

Blessings!