There are a few folks who don’t like Valentine’s Day. They often remark, “It’s just a day for Hallmark to make a boatload of money!” or “Why would you spend good money on expensive flowers? They don’t last like a good vacuum!” Those negative statements and thoughts seem to be an excellent excuse not to take the time to warm a heart.

When I was single for more years than I can now count, Valentine’s in those early days of singledom was marked by a bit of sadness. Loneliness would often tap me on the shoulder and remind me I would not be getting a rose or a card from Robert Redford. Then it dawned on me, Valentine’s was about my love for others and an opportunity to make their February day a little warmer.

I would give Valentine gifts and cards to my children along with my mom and others whom I adored, and enjoyed doing so. To take a moment to remind someone they are valued enough to write a note or buy a flower is exceptional any time. However, on Valentines, isn’t making someone’s day rosier worth the price of Hallmark, or two flowers, or a whole box of candy? Feb.  14 should remind us all that love is important enough to be celebrated. 

One day I needed to go through mama’s box to find required information. The box is a plastic storage container filled with documents and papers I felt I should keep after she passed away nine years ago. Inside the bin is her yearbook from college, a ledger with information about finances, her old wallet and a treasure trove of memories.

I found a letter written to my mother from my father when he was working out of town a few months after their first son was born. It was a sweet, heart-wrenching letter of apology to her for his behavior during a stressful time. It meant so much to her, she kept it for 70 years.

A Valentine was pressed neatly among other papers tied with a ribbon. I made the card when I was eight years old out of yellow construction paper with a pink heart pasted on the front. On the inside of the card was written in red crayon, “To mama, I love you, Lynn.” Mama kept the Valentine for the rest of her life.

Bobby is a great guy who married a spirited girl named Shirley 40 years ago. Bobby always has done sweet, unexpected things to remind Shirley how much he cares for her.

On a Thursday morning a few years ago, her doorbell rang. When she opened the door, a delivery man was standing in front of Shirley holding a big stuffed bear which carried three yellow roses. When she looked closely at the bear’s ears, she gasped when she saw a diamond stud in each one.

Baffled because it was not a special occasion, she quickly took the note, which read, “This is for you just because it is Thursday. Love, Bobby.”

I am sure Shirley has enjoyed wearing those beautiful earrings, but she will carry the memory of her husband going the extra, thoughtful mile to create a such an unexpected endearing moment forever.

There is not a human being on the face of this earth that doesn’t want to be loved. Whether it is a child, a parent, a husband, wife, friend or anyone in our circle of relationships, Valentines is a good day to remind them they are an extraordinary part of our world.

Now, most of us can’t afford diamonds, but most all of us can make a card out of construction paper or buy a bear at the Dollar Store and put a daisy in his hand. Each of us can take a moment to touch a heart.

If you are alone on February 14, savor Valentine’s. Make heart-shaped cookies to take to your office or go to a children’s hospital and deliver Valentines to kids. Give love and enjoy the heck out of it.   

This Valentines why not send extra love to another? It won’t hurt a bit. Someone might find your sweet note in a storage box one day because the gesture of love you created was so exceptional, they kept it forever.