Rethinking Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day I’ve dreaded for years whether single or dating (and now married). I just didn’t see the point. It was a “Hallmark holiday.”

Until this year.

Up until now, I let society define Valentine’s Day. It was what I saw on TV – chocolate, roses, and flowers. It was a “couples” holiday or the anti-relationship holiday which sounds even worse, "Singles Awareness Day." The pressure to perform was paralyzing. The isolating factor it brought out sent the wrong message. Awareness for being single - singe is not bad any other day of the year so why this day? Because someone isn't obligated to buy you chocolate you'd buy for yourself any other day? I never let society rob Christmas so why had I let it rob Valentine’s Day? I love love.

The message of it all is really innocent – LOVE. We just missed the mark. Who said it has to be romantic love? We can redefine Valentine’s Day to make it a day that highlights what we should be doing the other 364 days of the year – loving others.

So today, in lieu of sighing, grumbling, elating over cheap chocolate, or posting pictures of flowers that will die within a week, let us think of additional ways to express love.

Why not:

• Take chocolate/goody bags/necessities to a homeless person?
• Volunteer?
• Donate toiletries and makeup to a woman’s shelter so a woman can feel alive & pretty?
• Go to dinner with a single mom?
• Babysit for a couple so they can enjoy quiet conversation?
• Send a love note to your best friends?
• Say “yes” to the date you always say no to?
• Bake cookies for the single guy neighbor, just because?
• Forgive that family member or friend, and let them know?
• Spend time with an elderly widow/widower? 
•  Visit a homebound church member or woman/man on your street?
• Simply call your family, your friends? Say "I love you" 

We all long to be loved. Deep down, we want a tangible validation sometimes. Instead of letting this day isolate us into “haves” and “have nots” in relation to romantic relationships, let’s just show our neighbors, friends, family and strangers how valuable and loved they are – loved by us and loved by God. Imagine the joy you could provide to someone who doesn't feel loved and has those feelings highlighted today? The validation? The message: I see you. 

Our mission is to love so this day CAN be perfect and valid- a more dramatic expression today of every day.

Bring on the pink and the red and the hearts. Love well. 

With love,

Danielle

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8