here's to the hopeful romantics

Photo Credit

Ah yes, Valentine's Day. That's today, huh? Holy cow, how in the world did that happen.

The day really managed to sneak up on me this year. And I'm not just saying that... I mean Jason and I were in the grocery store on Sunday planning our meals for the week and we decided upon chicken burgers for Tuesday night. Ya know, just plain ol' Tuesday night. It took me almost until checkout as I passed the Great Wall of Chocolate for me to remember what "Tuesday night" was. We laughed.

And while I'm pretty sure that, given the timeframe, tomorrow won't be filled with any elaborate plans or high expectations, I do know it will most certainly be filled with love.

When I realized I'd forgotten all about Valentine's Day (and the fact that I was perfectly okay with that) I got a bit sad. I started thinking to myself, Oh who needs Valentine's Day anyway. It's just some fabricated holiday created by Hallmark anyway... AHHHHHH!! Who is that person thinking that? Certainly not me. I had to stop myself. I sounded like... like... like a GUY. And then I thankfully returned myself back to my authentic state of mind, someone that believes whole-heartedly in the purpose of Valentine's Day. And you know why?

Because this world would be a better place if we all just took a little more time to love.

You see, I love love. It's in my DNA. Growing up we didn't have a ton, but boy did we have a whole lot of love. My parents taught me that when you feel it, you show it. I'm not even sure how to put it into words except to say that my heart feels so full sometimes that I just have to pour it out. I find myself having these sporadic moments where I NEED to text a friend and tell them I love them, or remind my brother before he hangs up the phone that I love that he's my brother, or to lean over to Jason sitting on the couch to kiss his broad shoulder next to me and tell him I love him more than Ryan Gosling. (Yeah, that much.) Because love feels good, and makes others feel good, and for pete's sake what could ever be wrong with that?

And I know it drives Jason crazy sometimes. For a man that's so rational and grounded to be stuck with such a sap for a girlfriend. If it weren't for him, my idealism might just literally carry me away. Luckily, he brings me back down to earth, and I like to believe I destroy his pragmatism with little sprinkles of sunshine. When it comes to love though, I know it seems a little silly to hold on to the ideal - I know that the majority of people are skeptics. And believe me, my practical side (yes, I have one!) fights to be heard all the time. But being practical is just simply no fun. Pretending not to care about a whole day dedicated to love is simply no fun.

Which is why I'll be celebrating today. It won't be with grand gestures or carefully planned out surprises, though. I'll spend the day mindful of the people I love - my family, my friends, my amazing better half - and I won't hesitate for a second to pour out my heart and tell them why I love them. Because they deserve to hear it. And I think that's what Valentine's Day is all about - one day to remind us of what we should be doing each and every day.

So spread the love. And have a Happy Valentine's Day.



(And for the record, this song is what love sounds like to me. Simple happiness.)