Happy Valentine’s Day!

Many have asked me why am I so into this cheesy Hallmark holiday. As a Valentine baby, Valentine’s Day has always been a special day about the celebration of love and me. When I was a child, I associated my birthday with the celebration of love. Each birthday was filled with imperfectly cut glittery Valentines and colorful flowers to exchange with family, teachers, classmates and special friends. Valentine’s Day and love was inclusive — everyone was a Valentine.

Ideal love expressed with an antique classical miniature vase with my favorite flower for valentines day, the velvety anemone.

As I matured, receiving an unexpected flower or bouquet from an admirer on Valentine's Day was a rare dreamy moment of romantic love. Love was not just an ideal but something to be cherished. I was finally someone’s romantic Valentine. My heart be still. Even after 30 years of marriage, a Valentine from the love of my life never gets old sparking reminders of our sweet early courtship and our love that continues to deepen.

Romantic love on Valentine's day is the absolute BEST, if you are lucky enough to find it on the day. If not, please don’t be alone. Celebrate self-love and gift yourself with a beautiful bouquet. Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. Why not celebrate with family and friends? Each year my lovely friend and neighbor hosts a Galentines cocktail party to celebrate the strong female friendships in her life. It’s so fun to show love to besties that support and appreciate our friendships over the years.

What I love most is celebrating the many types of love on Valentine's Day. Like the many different flowers in my garden, there are many types of relationships to celebrate the love in them. You are never too young or old to exchange a Valentine.

Here’s to finding love in our hearts, gardens, and our lives! Celebrate love with more flowers and grapes!

See my Valentines bloom in the below gallery:

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