Loved

Few days bring such a mix of emotions. Some girls curl their hair, paint their nails pink, and make sure they wear red... the more hearts the better. Others bitterly avoid wearing red at all costs. They break out the baggy black sweatshirts and glare at the roses that line the counter-top, waiting to be delivered to the expectant girls of campus.

And then there's me. Not bitter. Not covered in hearts. Just blessed. Because Valentine's Day for me has never been about singleness or dating. It has never been about others defining who I am. It has never been about longing for roses and teddy bears and chocolate.

Valentine's Day to me has always been about the love my family has for each other. I remember excitedly waiting for Daddy to come home... he would bring a bag of Jelly Bellys, flowers for Mommy, and a cute stuffed animal. Mom would make a fabulous dinner... we would eat by candlelight. I remember the magic of the glow of the candle softly illuminating our faces as we peered at each other between bites of mashed potatoes and chicken. Afterwards we would play a game, and as I crawled into bed I felt assured of the love my parents had for me, and also assured of the love my parents had for each other. Valentine's Day was a day of security... knowing that I had a place in my family where I would be unconditionally loved. And so Valentine's Day does not shake my self-confidence, my self-image, or my heart. Rather, it fills me with joy and confidence in my family.... in true love... that goes beyond the shallow manifestation of chocolates, Spongebob valentines, or pink and red cupcakes.

I realize that not everyone approaches Valentine's Day this way. I realize that many see it as a painful day. A reminder of singleness... of a broken heart... of feeling inferior, unnoticed, and lonely.

It is tempting to allow others to define how we view ourselves. If we're not coming back from Alpha desk armed with a bouquet of roses surely there's something wrong with us... if we didn't get asked out... if we didn't get extra attention from a crush... then we are most likely going to be spinsters forever.
Lies.
And so even though sometimes it seems like roses sure would brighten up the room, I refuse to allow others to define my worth based on pointless things.
I got to celebrate today with my roommate, my hallmates, and with the ultimate Lover of my soul who will never disappoint, never hurt, never forsake... who will always cherish, who will rejoice over me, and whose love is more than enough for me.