There is that one day when your Facebook and Instagram feeds are screaming LOVE! Now, with social media, it makes it easier to set free the hopeless romantic inside us. It also magnifies how commercialised this day can become, but who cares? This is that one day when our tolerance level is at its highest, when we become more forgiving of the cheesy posts and messages. I for one, have forgiven my husband for changing his profile picture to a silhouette of us kissing! He doesn’t really post anything on Facebook except on special occasions when he wanted to make me feel loved. It is, anyways, the V Day!!
I remember, when I was in my early teenage years, some 3 decades ago, how my girlfriends and I looked forward to this day. Some of us were thrilled to get love notes, chocolates and flowers from the brave souls of our batch. You would hear the girls giggling in the hallways and from afar, you’d see the boys cheering on one of their mates, as he gathers up the courage to approach his crush to deliver a message of endearment. Those memories are just priceless! Then you get to pass that stage when you enter into an exclusive relationship. It is when you expect your man to make you feel like the most beautiful lady on the planet every Valentine’s day, no more, no less. Of course all the ladies would agree with me that there is nothing wrong with that (not sure about the men though :P) but I was just amazed to discover another meaning to Valentines’ day this time around.
I woke up last Tuesday without any expectations from my husband. I just planned to spend the day sharing love. Orly greeted me with a kiss, and said ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!’ and off he went to work. I then dropped off my parents at the nearby mall so they can spend time together, have a well-deserved massage and their Valentine lunch. I worked from home that day to nurse my son Keith, who had a bad cough and headache. We saw a doctor at lunch time and he was given some anti-biotics. We had a quick lunch before heading back home to continue my work. Staring at my first-born, my lunch ‘date’ on Heart’s Day, I can’t help but notice how much he is growing every single day. I hope to still be his Valentine date next year, and a couple more years after that. 😛
That afternoon, back at my work desk at home, I spent almost 2 hours on the phone training some new colleagues at work with so much patience! Every email that went out of my mailbox that day were all very positive, and I deliberately chose to be nice even on a couple of challenging occasions. After work, I drove Seth to his soccer practice. Orly met us there straight from work. With all honesty,
I wasn’t expecting anything from him that night, so I was surprised to get my favourite chocolates from my forever Valentine!
Spending Valentine’s day, with the conscious effort of giving a part of me, sharing love the best way I know how, without expecting anything in return was truly liberating! Valentine will always be special for me, but knowing that we are given a chance every single day to give love is even more magical. Receiving love is considered as a bonus. Today, a week after Valentine’s Day, Orly and I treated ourselves to a blissful massage, and it was indeed rejuvenating! We then spent time catching up over a chocolate milkshake and other sinful snacks. It was just great to spend some quality time on an ordinary day. I also resumed my walking/running and my yoga regime. That is me giving myself some love by trying to be more fit and healthy.
Just like today, tomorrow is special. Tomorrow is Love Day yet again. There is no need for elaborate planning, just take any opportunity to give, be generous, be kind, and share love without any expectations. It is liberating, trust me.
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