Valentine’s Day is not my favorite day — not by a long shot.
And there are plenty of reason for that which I will not divulge.
But as Jimmy Buffet sings — “it could be my fault.”
Just as love is a two-way street, so is the lack of it — true love, sustaining love, forever love.
I have written about this in the past and each year as Valentine’s Day approaches I cringe at the mere mention of the celebration. Be my Valentine? Buy me a box of candy. Send me a heart-filled card. Flowers — roses of course — would be appreciated.
And of course there will be dinner and conversation, perhaps some jewelry.
All to show one’s undying, faithful love for the other.
But for me, the true spirit of Valentine’s Day is when I see a couple together — a real couple of decades of togetherness — I feel good and I am envious. It comforts me to think that such love exists.
As I have stated before, my experience has been quite different. I’ve been married, divorced and I was “out there” for a long, long time.
Today’s world is far different than the time when we were at the dinner table with Ward and June, Wally and The Beaver. The nuclear family has exploded into an “everyone for themselves” fast-food existence that flies in the face of home-cooked meals, manners and family time.
Would I want to have a Valentine? Absolutely, why not?
Here I am at an age at which I (perhaps) have matured to a place where I can handle a true, trust-based relationship, and either all the good ones are gone, or the ones still available are nowhere to be found.
So now my life is relegated to a job I love, close friends and family and helping this wonderful community we call the Valley with a Heart.
Yes, I feel I have purpose, but I would like to have companionship — someone to talk to, have dinner with, go to a movie, you know, enjoy life. Because life is to be enjoyed.
If you are lucky enough to have that special person with whom to spend Valentine’s Day, savor it. Keep building on that foundation so when you get to my age and older, you’re not left wishing you had what you once did.
Buy that card or that box of candy. Send those flowers. Keep the fire burning.
Lift a glass, make a toast and cherish your Valentine.
But the key is to a Valentine every day. Don’t take your Valentine for granted.
The phrase we hear today all the time is “I appreciate you.” Well that is darn good advice.
Appreciate your Valentine. But not just by saying it — live it. Sincerity, genuineness, authenticity are all what really matters.
Don’t ever think that a box of candy, or flowers, or a piece of jewelry can ever really say “I love you” as much as actually saying “I love you” to your Valentine.
We only get so many trips around the sun, so value each and every moment. Savor what you have and nourish it.
I know what you’re thinking. Why should we heed the advice of someone who has failed so often in this arena?
Well, some great coaches never played the game.
Some great coaches weren’t so good at playing the game.
Some great coaches failed many times over before winning the Super Bowl or the World Series.
Happy Valentine’s Day every day.
One of these days, I hope to join you all.