Valentine's Day. It's a day that has changed for me over the years - sometimes it holds romantic love and surprises; sometimes not - and one year, sadly, it became the day my mother died. But no matter what, it's always a good day to spread some sugar around. And I'm not talking about the candy-related sweetness: I'm talking about the love kind.To my family, which is, like most families, imperfectly perfect, I love the history we have, the heritage we share, the memories of childhood and awkward young adulthood and the grown-ups we have become. I love knowing that you have my back, no matter what. That one phone call from me will bring you running, no questions asked. And now that we're all getting older, I love seeing that we're letting more of the small stuff go in favor of the big things. In favor of love.
To my colleagues, I am honored to have so many business pals whose intelligence and savvy and overall kindness and decency and desire to do good work has strengthened my own professional abilities and values. Because of you, I have a network that is broader and deeper than I could ever have imagined; I have friends in places all over the world who are glad to hear from me when I write or call; I am connected, always, to someone who knows something about everything; and I know people I can call on to help other people who need a particular talent or knowledge or skill. Because work isn't just about work. Sometimes it's about love, too.
To "my" kids - the older ones and the young ones, the ones I'm related to or not...thank you for your openness and honesty and for letting me think, most of the time, that I'm the cool aunt in your lives. Even though you stop kissing and hugging and even speaking at times, I know you love me. I just know. Because I was you once. Love doesn't need to be talked about. I get it.
To my lost loves and last loves, thank you for seeing me at my best when I might not have deserved it, and thank you for the lessons, intentional or not, the great ones and the painful ones, that showed me what I want and need. You've helped me learn about how to love a little better the next time around.
To my friends, the ones I never see and always see, the ones who sit in my heart and pop into my head...thank you for being another family for me. You show up when I need a boost, you make me laugh with you and at myself, you meet me for coffee or dinner or drinks and as much conversation as I want, you join me on trips, you help me move, you take care of me and let me take care of you, and you never show up empty-handed. Because even if you can't see it, I can: you're always bringing love.
And to Suzie, the frazzled checker at my grocery store; and my mailman Ralph who brings my mail up to my door even though he doesn't have to; and Sandy, my neighbor who likes to stroll over and tell me all about the other neighbors and probably tells them about me; and to the thousands of other people I hear about or meet through the course of a year for a second or a minute or an hour... I love you too.
See? Today's not really just about flowers and candy and sweethearts. It's about love, actually.
Happy Valentine's Day.
© 2017 A Bit of Brie/Anitabrie
