So, it's Valentine's day. And I have to admit, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself.
Ryn is super sick, Axel is teething and cranky, and I'm playing nurse/housecleaner/cook. On Valentine's day. Really? The day of love and I'm here cleaning up dog hair while trying not to pull out my own.
Oh, and Pandora just reminded me to "set the mood" with some R&B tunes. Shut up Pandora.
I love Valentine's day. And not in the "what I really mean is that I love getting roses and chocolate" way. I mean, really, really, really love it. Yeah sure, it's a "made up" holiday by the evil greeting card companies, but I don't care. And you know why? Because my parents raised us to enjoy V-day as a holiday of love, not romance. We always had a little family celebration, we always gave and got cards from each of our family members, and, most importantly (obviously), we always got candy. Sometimes there was even a candlelit dinner. I'm not totally sure if this was to save money or if my parents wanted a little romance too, but hey, we loved it either way!
So, to me, Valentine's was never about the flowers and the over the top romantic gestures of romcoms, it was about celebrating those that you loved. Everyone that you loved.
And today, as I sat here, sulking, looking at the really nice bottle of wine that we probably won't be able to drink, and the pile of undecorated heart cards that will probably go unmade this year, it hit me...
This IS love.
I get to be with my family today. I get to show them love by cooking and cleaning, laundry-doing and diaper changing, nose wiping and temperature taking. All of that I GET to do, I GET to show them how big my heart is for them. And what have I been doing? Sitting here indulging in a little woe-is-me 'tude. Me! Of all people! Me, who has always said Valentine's day isn't all about the "stuff". Apparently a little hypocrisy snuck in there somewhere along the line.
So, it's Valentine's day. And I have to admit, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself... But, no more!
Bring on the snot, the dishes and the messes! I get the chance to love today, and dang, if that isn't the biggest blessing on earth I just don't know what is.
Happy love day friends!
