Perspective

I don't have a lot of time to write because technically, I'm supposed to be studying for an accounting test. But I would like to mention my thoughts on Valentine's Day before it's over, because it happens to have been my best Valentine's Day yet.
Remember elementary? We all wanted to send out fun valentines and candy to our friends, but we if we wanted to give to one, we were required to give to all. This meant that girls had to give valentines to boys. And the boys had to give valentines to the girls. How inhumane. For me, this simply meant that I didn't give out valentines. I could never be bothered with it. And that thought carried over to high school. Valentine's Day became a holiday to be overlooked. I spent that day trying to make it like every other day, disdaining the people that went all out. Wear pink and red? Definitely not.The only valentine I cared about was the one from my mom. She made great valentine bags.
Well, yesterday someone in my church mentioned how Valentine's Day wasn't just a day for couples, it's really a day to celebrate our love for God and for others. Huh. Never thought of that before. Then a 4 yr-old girl from my Sunday School class came up to me, gave me a hug and then handed me a little bag with Hershey Kisses and a beaded heart necklace she had made for me. Her cute little smile and second hug made it a wonderful valentine. Then I got back to my room to discover that a couple from my church had bought me one of Dr. Jim Berg's books that I had been wanting to read.
I woke up this morning with the realization that today was a day to celebrate love. I had breakfast with a friend and listened as she studied for a pharmacy/drug/nursing test. I walked to class thinking of the wonderful gift God gave us when He allowed us to feel love. I made extra time to talk to two girls in my class that I hadn't connected with before. I called my mom - I love her a lot. I went out to dinner to Olive Garden with my friend. She makes me smile. The weather was beautiful, I wore red, and it really was the best Valentine's Day.
So here's what I learned finally after 20 years of ignoring Valentine's Day. It's not about having someone to love, although that is a lovely thing to have and I'm happy for all those that have a significant other. Valentine's Day is about love, and love isn't something to take -- it's something to give.