What do you think of when you see that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner? When I was in grade school, Valentine’s Day meant going to the store with my mom and trying to pick out the coolest valentines for all the kids in my class! As I got into my high school and college days, the holiday became more focused on dressing up to impress my date and picking out the perfect card to relay my “young love” feelings. As I entered adulthood, and the holiday became more commercialized, I would be surrounded by images of red roses and pink hearts in every retail store – subtle suggestions to buy gifts and display decorations!
But even when we stop growing physically, we never stop growing emotionally, do we? Over the years, my feelings about the holiday have continued to change. I am lucky enough to have found someone to share Valentine's Day with. In fact, I recently got engaged to my amazing boyfriend Jack. So, Valentine’s Day 2023 will be extra-special for us! And this recent change in my life got me thinking about how people share their love with others in their own lives.
I think of how I’ve seen this day shown in movies and tv shows – couples professing their love through gifts of flowers and jewelry. Or in some cases, even proposing marriage! But “in real life,” there are many other ways people celebrate. I know groups of women who have turned this holiday into an annual February celebration of their friendship. I have friends who are single who celebrate the day by spoiling their pets or children or choose to take a “self-indulgent” day for themselves – what could be better than relaxing at the spa! And for those with a significant other, it may just be spent at home enjoying conversation over a nice home-cooked meal and a glass of wine – my preference!
There are many ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, and you’re encouraged to share the love you have with anyone you choose. Sharing your love with others is something that should be celebrated. And that, to me, is what Valentine’s Day is truly about. Beyond cards and chocolates, beyond shiny objects and roses, it’s an opportunity to tell others how much they mean to us. Your family, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers…and in my case, in addition to all those folks, I want to add our clients to that list as well!
Valentine’s Day is about appreciating every form of love.
So, on behalf of all of us here at Dunlap & Associates, I hope you have a wonderful holiday. May it be personal, not commercial. May it be spent however and with whomever you wish. And no matter how you celebrate . . .
We hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day!
Renée Borchardt (soon to be Serenci!)