Happy Valentine's Day!

There's just something to be said about a holiday that celebrates love! I am seriously infatuated with Valentine's Day.

I'm not talking about the commercial aspects, although I'd never turn down flowers or really good chocolate! LOL But I'd turn down diamonds... You can keep them, thanks. In fact, I don't even need a gift, just a thoughtfully chosen card and the smiles and the love and... and... and...

I don't know what it is, but every year on this date, I walk around with a grin on my face. Nothing special happened this year, most years nothing does. And other people don't behave any differently towards me, either. However, I feel a contentment that for this 24 hours everything is all right. Weird, huh?

This morning, I had to go to the post office. When it was my turn at the window (why do they call it a window when there's no glass?) and the woman greeted me, I smiled and said "Happy Valentine's Day". She stopped and stuttered for a couple of beats, then she beamed "Happy Valentine's Day to you, too". That was nice... With three simple words, both of us had a few seconds of happiness that set the tone for the day. Didn't cost a dime. I say that rates pretty high on the cool meter!

It's one of those holidays that isn't mandatory... another notch in coolness... and it doesn't matter who you celebrate it with should you choose to observe the date. You can be festive with your lover or your kids, your teacher or the family dog... Hell, you can celebrate it with your computer! You can be extravagant or frugal or give no gift at all.

When my kids were young, it was all about that paper bag I sent to school with them for lunch. Everything in it was pink or red or heart-shaped. Along with the special edibles, there were always little fun things... pencils and stencils, stickers and pictures, and maybe a toy or two. Fun stuff. Fun days.

I went to the store this morning and saw a manic panic in those around me. Crazy. Bouquets were going out the door by the truckload and the stuffed animals were overwhelming their human captors. People were definitely grumpy. They buy into the commercialism and forget the holiday itself.

Give yourself a break guys... Find a nice card and a bag of dark chocolate M&Ms and just tell those people who are important to your life that you love them. Such an easy way to spend a day.

And don't forget that smile!

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!