Right. I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day.
These are my reasons why:
Hate:
1. The usual commercially-over-hyped BS, where roses cost a million times more than they do.
2. Shops started advertising this kak in January. (kinda like when they put their back-to-school stuff out on Boxing Day).
3. I suck at it.
Love:
1. One year, La, stalked me into the best Valentine’s Day ever. No, really, it was hilarious at a time when I felt most alone.
2. Because my kid loves it and there’s always some cute art project that coincides with it.
3. Because we get to talk about love.
But, the most important type of love is self-love. I can sum that up in three simple questions:
1. Do you love you?
2. Are you happy with you?
3. If your answer to the above 2 questions are negatory, do you love yourself enough to change? Are you brave enough to want to?
(sidenote – courage has sweet nothing to do with swashbuckling, and everything to do with a quiet determination).
So, this year, I will make 4 Valentines’ gestures. One for my kid, one for my Shmoo, one for someone else and one for me. The one for me is this…
Dear self,
You had the courage to change the things in your life that made you unhappy. That does not mean that the entirety of sadness is gone from you, it just means you were brave enough to open up to happiness, whilst accepting that some sadness will always be a part of you. You’re okay with your sadness now. You can encapsulate it. Well done. You know, a few years ago, you just kinda wandered around with it. You’re learning how to say it now. Sometimes, you’re like a toddler learning to speak, and that’s okay. You just need to learn one word a day about it. You’re getting there. You finally do what you love, every day. Keep going.
…And…
Dear my lovely loves,
It is you that makes my journey worthwhile. Your support, love and belief in me makes all these things possible. You are the reason for my dreams, and you make my dreams worthwhile. Thank you.