In two days it will be Valentine’s day. Sometimes we need to grasp the normal and shake it upside its head. Sometimes we need to *fiercely* protect the normal. It’s not normal for a single woman to love Valentine. But I do. I get excited about it like a kid who sees cotton candy at a country fair. I also recognize the beauty of couples to make this time special. Sweet, and totally unneeded for a special holiday- but never the less I enjoy it. In my humble opinion not being in a relationship…going on a date should be the normal….not the abnormal. Now…before I start to hear all the “we don’t have time…” Darlings…you make time for what’s important to you. Money is important enough to practically be a slave to…therefore the same can be applied to relationships—–although if you are a slave to your job you might need to revaluate that. I am also certainly NOT advocating a daily date or even a weekly one…because life. But I am mostly certainly saying…taking time to make sure the ones you love feels appreciated, wanted, and seen is important keeps any friendship and relationship alive. I’ve been told time and time again a good marriage starts the basis of a healthy friendship. After seeing that for myself I’m inclined to believe that. But I know little of actual couple relationships ….but I do know a lot about friendships.
It takes work. It takes being intentional. Sometimes it takes a good fight….an ugly good fight to go from being good friends to friends sticking closer than a brother. Friends that allow you to speak your mind and bark their opinions right back and you make up not necessarily a comprise but an agreement that encourages BOTH parties…keep those. They’re well worth their weight in gold…perhaps more so. I’ve also learned for me that it takes about 5-6 years to really develop a good friendship and that’s with intentionality on both sides. I’m not sure why that is.
Back to the original reason of this post. Valentine Day. I love it. For me it is a chance to love on people. To dress up to do something special. Do I do that on other days yes… I do. Being a single woman on Valentine’s day is not a disadvantage, rather I consider it to be advantaged. I have a chance to gather people, to love them, and to laugh with them throughout the events through if I wanted to. I have a chance to spoil myself, my family members. It’s a happy occasions. It is a day of loving and of play for me.
A day of love. A day of intentionally doing something nice for someone. A day of often trying to sneak around to do something for someone without them knowing it. A day of laughter. That’s what Valentine’s day is for me.