I know a lot of people who think Valentine’s Day is just a Hallmark holiday. I also know a lot of single people who deeply resent it. For me it is just about love. My mom always made a big deal of the day and encouraged my brother’s and I to make Valentine’s for each other. We would each make cards and then mom would make a special dinner where we would present them at each other’s place settings.

I loved it. I love crafting homemade cards with bits of doily and construction paper. Each year I would try to outdo my previous years artistic feats. My grandparents would usually come over and my grandpa who worked as a florist would always bring my mom and I something from the shop. Sometimes it was a small bouquet but most often it was an exotic houseplant that he hoped we would be able to keep alive. (That always my mom’s job in those days).

My mom and grandma always put a little cup of candy at each place setting for special dinners. On Valentines it was usually a small heart-shaped box of Russell Stovers or a cellophane bag with bright-red bow from Mary’s Candy shop, It was a always a.challenge to leave this untouched until dessert.

Mom would always make a nice dinner and we would sit together and marvel at each other’s cards. My dad was notorious for making all of his cards in under 10 minutes. They always were plain cardboard paper folded in half with a marker drawing of a bird and/or tulip. He still got credit even though by the time he got around to it, usually the construction paper left was orange and brown.

I’ve carried this tradition forward for my own kids. It’s hard to be away from them and not present them with little tokens of my affection. I long to make a nice dinner with Matthew and sit around the table with my loves. So today, understanding it would be different, Sophie and I made some Valentines and delivered them to neighbors. I’ve decided to go out for lunch and wear some red lipstick. Maybe a little chocolate is warranted. Happy Valentine’s Day all! Celebrate love in whatever form you find it!