Dear Friend,
I know, some people think about Valentine’s Day as just another celebration that’s not real. If you feel inclined to celebrate love, I encourage you to celebrate that in whatever way makes you happy!
VALENTINE’S DAY─WHAT IS LOVE?
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, the day that commemorates love. The traditional way to celebrate is to shower your love object with candies, romantic dinners, jewelry, and flowers.
But is that everyone’s heart’s desire? What is love? Isn’t it a feeling? Something that happens between two people who truly care about each other?
To evoke a truly romantic approach, think about love the way a romance writer would. Consider each of the senses.
Feeling. Yes, feeling is the first sense that comes to my mind. Just looking at someone (in person or even on a cell phone) can provide “that loving feeling” if you’re not able to touch. I remember being in a large retail store with my husband years into our marriage. We split the task list. He disappeared to take care of finding the items on his list. I went in search of my items. When I finished, I headed in the direction he’d gone. (Back then, we didn’t bring our cell phones with us everywhere.)
Seeing. He appeared suddenly, smiling when he saw me. At that moment, I could feel my heartbeat speed up as I rushed to him. After we hugged and kissed lightly (we were in public, so no passionate kisses), we held hands as we walked to the check-out lanes. We probably hadn’t been away from each other for more than fifteen minutes, but the welcoming look he gave me said, “love.”
Touch. The kisses and hugs enhanced the feelings and seeing. What a triple whammy! And it wasn’t just newlywed bliss. I still feel lucky he’s in my life.
Smell/Scent. Early in our dating, I banned my husband-to-be’s aftershave. It was a fruity, apple-ish scent I couldn’t tolerate. It turns out that I have a very sensitive sense of smell. (As a child, I smelled a gas leak no one else in the family had noticed.) We’ve found all the “free and clear” products in cleaning supplies. I’ve bought cleaning spray my husband hates. (The smell of the scent is something like, “early morning meadow.” Yucch!) I wouldn’t suggest purchasing perfume for me. Chanel and other big names in scents won’t find me adding to their bottom line.
Taste. The yeasty scent of bread baking or food on the grill evoke memories that are linked to tasting great foods together. At a holiday event, I remember tasting my way through Greek food offerings and becoming a great fan of the flaky pastries and rich tastes. I love the taste of most foods, especially chocolates.
Hearing. My husband has a deep, resonant voice. It’s so very romantic, when he wants it to be. The romance definitely disappears when he lets the incompetent drivers know what he thinks of their driving abilities. He says it with car windows closed, so I’m the only one who hears his scathing comments.
Beside the senses, the little things can seem the most loving. When I mention my husband does the laundry, people look at me with amazement and jealousy. He even takes great pride in doing it well. (He’s not happy with my easy attitude toward items that keep their shape without folding or hanging up.) I love him for taking laundry as his household contribution. I don’t need to remind him to do it, unless I need a particular item washed, and he wasn’t aware of my need.
So how do we celebrate Valentine’s Day? However we wish. I feel his love every day. Raised by a family who never indulged in PDAs (public displays of affection), my husband will come over to me for no reason and kiss me. Maybe he’s just leaving the room.
I’m very lucky. In our home, it’s Valentine’s Day every day.
How did we get here? By communicating and making it plain, he matters to me and I matter to him. I’m still in love. And I reciprocate his gestures. He gets the biggest piece of goodies and I don’t force him to eat asparagus or artichokes, even though I really like them. He gets the green beans or broccoli with cheese.
VALENTINE’S DAY FOR ONE
I’d be remiss if I didn’t speak about what Valentine’s Day can feel like when you’re not with a significant other. There were many years when I was on my own with no valentine to share the day with me.
If you’re truly on your own, think about what makes you happy and do that! Be it shopping, hiking, eating out, seeing a film, reading a book, or visiting a museum, consider inviting a friend who doesn’t need to be a romantic partner. You could ask anyone whose company you enjoy to share the day, a meal, or an activity.
Sharing a special meal with a child or children can be a fun experience. They could be your own child/children or maybe the child of a friend who would love to have a romantic evening with their significant other while you hang out with their child. (Consider it much more than babysitting. You’re building memories for a child!)
And, for those who enjoy volunteering, make the day a memorable one for many people by volunteering to serve. Serving can mean: serving food or helping out at a soup kitchen, reading to children in a library, or visiting in a nursing home. Join a group project where you pick up trash on a highway, create a craft project with others, bake cookies and deliver them to friends or family, or volunteer at a park.
Remember to love yourself!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Shelley Sommers
Romance Author ♥
Shelley@ShelleySommers.com
www.ShelleySommers.com
And, if you decide to celebrate romantically, I highly recommend purchasing your own copies of my prequel to the Louisa’s Vineyard Series, Love at First Sight. The love scenes are epic and plentiful. It will put you in the mood for a romantic day and night!
Available on Kindle Select in their Kindle Unlimited program (if you’re a member) for free. Also available in paperback. The Kindle Unlimited offer ends after February 17th, so hurry and claim it now. Purchase it now!
Once you’ve purchased the book, use this link to enjoy a free special bonus Epilogue, “Honeymoon in Belize,” at www.shelleysommers.com/lafsBONUS You’ll enjoy it more once you’ve read the book. You can only access the bonus epilogue with the link above.
