Instead of buying flowers, candy, or dinner this year for St. Valentine’s Day, why not share yourself? Buying things does little to express why and how you love that special someone. Love is action and what better activity to show it than creating something from the heart.
Write something from your heart. Better yet, try a quick verse.
Does anyone ever remember anything said in a greeting card? I barely read them. Try this instead. Sit down for 5-10 minutes and compose a list of things about that person. It could be their favorite foods, the way you feel when you are around them, the activities you enjoy together, etc. Create your list now. I will create my list at the same time so take your time. Begin now!
OK, now we both have a list. From here, we can either buy a card that is blank inside or just write a heartfelt letter. Really try to be vulnerable. Avoid gushy, if at all possible. Any way you decide to create it, take your list and write something nice for your loved one. It doesn’t have to be professional, particularly eloquent or even grammatically correct. Your expression could be a note or a poem or something else. It just has to be from the heart and encompass things that you find stirring.
From my list, I decided to create a verse. Here it is:
When we met, I was taken by your thankful, kind heart
You appreciate others and express it in word and action
Whether it’s friends, kids, family, dogs or Jesus;
you give us all your full attention!
I love it when we engage in thoughtful conversation
Whether it is a nice glass of wine and salty snacks,
or a candle-lit dinner with a juicy, t-bone steak.
Either way, I won the blue cheese sweepstakes!
I get a great feeling when you laugh at my jokes
Sometimes, you hug me and make me feel better
I am the logic and you, my love, are the heart;
together, we make beautiful music, just like Mozart!
It Only Takes a Minute
Take a few minutes and write something from your heart to your loved one or loved ones. Maybe it will be great. Maybe not. Either way, I do know this: Long after the flowers wilt and the candy is eaten, your words will be remembered. And, they can be saved and shared over and over again.
PS. You can still go out for dinner and get whatever treats you want, but find some way to put your heart into it this year.