To My Valentine

Once upon a time there was a very sad girl. She felt in her heart that life could be magnificent and full of fireworks and roses and all things spectacular. But her life seemed so empty.

And then, on a cold winter's night, she met a boy. And he loved her immediately. And she loved him right back. And this is their third Valentine's Day together.

Tonight, he has baseball practice. She has night class. This February 14th will consist of takeout by candlelight. And that's perfect.

He is the boy who always believed in her. When she got the call about her dream job, he was thrilled for her and let her go on a shopping spree for work clothes. She knew that was true love.
When she cries, he makes her feel better. When she makes bad jokes, he laughs at her, and she laughs at herself. When things seem dreary, he is a ray of light. He is ever the optimist.

She believes he can do anything he puts his mind to, and she will be beside him every step of the way. They believe their dreams are equally important. It is a true partnership. No one does all the cooking, all the cleaning, all the anything. Each makes the other's load a little lighter.

She has come to realize that fireworks and roses are wonderful, but not everything. Some days paradise is when you're sitting under a blanket while watching glowing flames in the fireplace.

They dance in the kitchen. They say "I love you" many times each day. They laugh until their sides hurt.

She knows men and women are different, and he will never talk about his feelings 24 hours a day. She has made him talk more, and he has made her see that love is not words, but actions.

But on this day, like every other day, I will tell you in some way that I love you.