love.

well, it's valentine's day again. i have to be honest, i'm not a fan. i know, i know...you're thinking it's because i'm single right? well it is true that in the many years that i have lived through a v-day on approximately 11% of those days i have celebrated with a significant other. but that's not the reason that i'm not a fan.

i actually love love. i think love should be celebrated. and, without getting into the theology of things, i think the beatles were right on when they said "all you need is love."

but love at it's root is only positive. yes, love can be tough. loving is not easy. but even it's toughest, most trying forms the truth of the matter remains...

when someone loves you enough to take the tough side of things, they still love you.
when love is hard and you continue to fight for it, you love someone.
even having loved and lost is worth it because you were loved and you loved another.

i like to live my life full of passion. a passion for music. a passion for words. a passion for faith. a passion for family. a passion for friendships. and what is passion if not one of the most freeing forms of love?

that brings us to valentine's day.

this day is commercial. is love truly proven when someone else is dictating what you should say and do? is paying $150 for the same roses that were $24.99 a month ago love? is a stuffed bear holding a heart full of chocolate love? is it?

i'm honestly posing the question here. because for some people this may be love and who am i to judge. but here's what i know, or at least i think i know...

on a day that is solely about love i know A LOT of people that feel a lot of things outside of love today: insecure, alone, inadequate, hopeless, unloved, and just plain sad. there's even a movement to call this Singles Awareness Day (SAD) among the singles of the world. because for those of us who find ourselves without a mate on this day, we are VERY AWARE that we do not have a mate. there is no getting away from the red, pink, the hearts, and the CHOCOLATE.

is this love?

please hear me. if you have a love please, please tell them today. but tell them tomorrow and in june and october and every other day of the year!

i'm not a valentine's day hater. like i said, i'm actually a huge advocate of love in all it's forms. i've participated in v-day and i hope to again someday. but this is why, even as a participant, i'm still not a big fan of the commercialism. because on approximately 89% of the valentine's days in my life i have found myself at home. and i'm not the only one.

so here's my whole point. be aware of those around you. if you know someone sitting at home tonight while you have dinner with your love, send them a text! tell them they are loved! enjoy your night but remember those around you.

i'm spending tonight at home with some great television, a great book, my sweet puppy, my dear friend and roomie, some good food and a cupcake with a ridiculous amount of cream cheese icing!

i feel great because i know that my love doesn't come from roses or chocolate or dinner or stuffed animals. the love of my creator sustains me and makes me whole.

happy valentine's day everyone! you truly are loved beyond measure!! and let's face it, valentine's day is cheaper when you're single!