For years, Valentine’s Day wasn’t really my thing. Or at least, that’s what I told myself.
Being married for 32 years, with an anniversary on February 15, meant that Valentine’s often came and went without much acknowledgment. Over time, I convinced myself that it wasn’t a big deal. That I didn’t really care about flowers, cards, or grand gestures. That love wasn’t about one day. And while all of that is true in a sense, the deeper truth is—I wanted to feel celebrated. I wanted to be acknowledged. And I should have spoken up about that.
For years, I stayed quiet, convincing myself that my feelings weren’t that important. But here’s what I’ve learned:
1️⃣ If you tolerate it, it will continue.
2️⃣ Your needs deserve a voice—don’t be afraid to use it.
3️⃣ It’s okay to want and expect love to be expressed.
4️⃣ And most importantly, love yourself first—fully, unapologetically, and without waiting on someone else to do it.
This isn’t about looking back with regret—it’s about growing, learning, and embracing what I know now. And what I know now is that love should be celebrated, in all its forms, not just on one day but every day.
And that brings me to God’s love. The love that is unwavering, unconditional, and always present. The love that reminds us to not only receive love but also give it freely.
"We love because He first loved us." – 1 John 4:19
So today, whether you’re celebrating with a partner, your kids, your friends, or just yourself—celebrate! Love is meant to be felt, expressed, and enjoyed. And if no one else does it for you—do it for yourself.
Which brings me to today—I got asked out (properly) for Valentine’s dinner. 🎉 And while I won’t get into how these single streets are (because whew!!), I'll just say… I am looking forward to dinner and I have five red dresses to pick from. 😂
Ladies—buy the flowers. Put on the dress. Take yourself out. Love isn’t about waiting.
And for my kids, even as adults, they still get a Valentine’s gift from me. Because I never want them to feel like love is optional or dependent on someone else. Love should always be felt, expressed, and given freely.
So, Happy Valentine’s Day—or as I like to call it, Happy Love Day 365. Like Black History Month, we highlight it in February, but love (like our history) is to be celebrated every single day.
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