I've mentioned before how I first came to really love Valentine's Day, but I've found over the years that the reasons behind my affection for it have only grown. It's kind of like one of those balls of rubber bands. I keep adding things to my ball o' love each year, and when the day arrives, I love taking the time throughout the day to really examine it and appreciate how much it's grown over the years.
Here are a few of my favorites past/current that stood out to me this year:
Back when I first lived in NJ and worked as a nanny, the family I lived with had a unique way of expressing their love for each other anytime it came to saying goodbye. They would say fingers, sign I love you, and touch fingers. It has stayed with me throughout the years and is impossible not to think of whenever I think about them.
My friend Patti in NJ called a left me a lovely message, knowing it was my favorite holiday.
Sitting with Ben and stringing paper hearts to hang up in our apartment.
The little things Darius does. Washes dishes leftover from the night before....I love unexpectedly waking up to a clean kitchen! Cleans the apartment while I'm out. Takes the boys for haircuts. Calls me every morning when he has a break. The list goes on...
My boys. Their excitement. Their hugs and kisses. The way they tell me they love me.
All my family and friends. There are so many of them, and they're each unique and have such amazing qualities that I love.
Love is unique to each of us. How we feel it, express it, respond to it. It grows, morphs over the years, and takes on new meaning as life progresses. We find love in places we may not have expected. It's surprising. I love that about love.
I love love.
