Some Valentine's Day memories from a die-hard romantic

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays since I am a complete and total romantic. I’ve loved it since grammar school when we all had to craft little Valentine’s Day cards with crayons and drawing paper and then hope and pray that the little boy/girl you had a crush on would accept it.

I know this day also puts a lot of pressure on people trying to decide what to buy, what to do, where to go, etc. I feel their pain. For years, I would fret over these things too and, most of the time, I would screw the entire day up because I was so nervous trying to make it “perfect.”

What I’ve learned as I’ve become older and wiser is that it’s the little things that matter the most. A dinner will be digested and gone but if you’ve written a poem, penned a lovely message or just scattered rose petals across the bed, well, this is something that will never be forgotten.

I remember one Valentine’s Day, I came downstairs to find sheets of paper leading to the kitchen spelling out “Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you so much” from Chuck.  I’ve saved each and every piece of paper and cherish this memory.

We've been married for 34 years now and not a Valentine's Day (or any day) has gone by that we haven't celebrated our life together. We tied the knot a mere 6 months after we met. When you know, I firmly believe you just know. I always question these multi-year-long relationships and I hope that both parties realize this most likely won't culminate in marriage (if this is indeed the hope for either party).  

During the year, we've clipped out daily "Love Is" cartoons from the paper and saved them for appropriate moments. I’ve written Chuck poems and he’s done the same for me. Neither one of us is Edna St. Vincent Millay but we sure try!  We’ve also returned to our favorite little restaurant where we had our first date which made for a very special night (Sayat Nova on Ohio St.) 

I firmly believe in having loving traditions that you stick to. My mother cherished a charm bracelet that she wore. It held a charm for every special occasion she and my dad experienced. She had a tiny gold trolley from a trip to San Francisco and a little gold airplane that designated her time working at TWA. I have it now and Chuck has added some for me as well, including a little Eiffel Tower in honor of our honeymoon in Paris.

I know Valentine's Day only comes around once a year, but my advice is to try to make every day Valentine's Day with your loved one. Life is too short but wonderful memories are long-lasting.

(First published 2/13/22, updated 2/14/24)