thoughts.

  Today means many different things to many different people. Over the past week or so I have come to find a large amount of people with negative feelings toward this day. Some provoked by past experiences and others by taking up an offense for hard situations. In contrast to these emotions, I sit at school surrounded by large stuffed animals and balloons carried by the hearts of young girls swooning. I guess this day has held little importance to me over the years. Most February fourteenth mornings were started with a card and some chocolate from my momma. In no way did this treat disappoint. 

  I presume this struggle begins with the realization that it is not the day that stirs such feelings. Valentine's Day gives loved ones a chance to express their heart and gratitude for the people that mean the most to them in their lives. It is potentially an excuse to get dressed up for a nice dinner, or even spend an evening making a meal and sharing fond memories of years past. The picture above makes my heart long for a hike into the mountains for a day of good music, a fire and time. No, I don't think that people should wait for a designated day to express such adoration, but the thought is nice. I could liken this idea to a birthday. That one day of the year we choose to celebrate the life of someone and how blessed we are to have them as a part of our lives; we think of the ways that they touch our hearts and how lacking our lives would be without that person. We don't forget how important that person is to us every other passing day of the year but that one day is a reason to go above and beyond in sharing our heart for them. 

  I don't suppose that St. Valentine's Day was meant to be the only day that people celebrate their love for another, it just gives two people another excuse to do just that. My dad might be the only person on Earth that knows about Sweetest Day or when it is, but he always celebrates my mom with a card and small gift to show he cares. It's not because the world is celebrating along with him, it is because he cares. Maybe what we could strive to do is find more reasons than a holiday to selflessly show our heart for another. I would like to make this something I remember to do. 

  Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone. Make not only this day, but every one count. 

Currently Listening: "Hung The Moon" by Drew Holcomb