Happy V-Day!

My mood is considerably brighter than it was the other day. Time and perspective help so much.

Today is Valentine’s Day, and I am so happy. Not that I have a Valentine, but that doesn’t stop me from loving this holiday. I have always thought of Valentine’s Day as a time to show the people around you that you love them. Not just a romantic partner, but everyone — family, friends, co-workers, etc.  I was sure to send Valentine’s Day cards to my parents and to my two nieces (5 and 7 months).  There have been years when I sent Valentine’s Day cards out like I would Christmas cards.  It’s unexpected, fun, and a nice thing to do to brighten someone’s February day, I think.

Ever since I was little, my mom always made Valentine’s Day a really fun day. The heart-shaped waffles we would have for breakfast, the beautifully decorated kitchen table that told us she loved us, the heart-shaped sandwiches she’d pack in our lunches, and the Valentine’s Day gift that she’d always give us. How many kids grow up getting a gift on Valentine’s Day? To this day, my mom still gives us gifts. This year she gave me a set of Monopoly inspired cocktail plates that I can use “when the girls come over for drinks.” My mom is really too cute, and I’m so lucky to have her.

I’m not doing anything too special to commemorate this V-Day, although I had originally planned to have a girls’ night in at my place, but after the week this has been, I begged off. I’m glad my friends allowed me to flake on this one.

I have decided (about a minute before I started writing this post) that I’m going to buy myself something for Valentine’s Day. Sur La Table is having a special sale on Le Creuset baking pans, and I think I’m going to have to treat myself. I think I’m going to get them in red, even though my kitchen is peachy orange, because it is Valentine’s Day, after all.

I hope that you have an amazing Valentine’s Day, no matter what you end up doing. I’d love to hear your plans for today in the comments.

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Update: I didn’t end up getting the pans…yet.  I have to see if I really want these pans, or if I was just in the mood to buy something for the sake of buying it.  I’m bad about that sometimes.  I think I may hold off and save up for the real Le Creuset pots&pans that I’d like to have — the dutch oven, heavy fryer, etc.  Still, I had a great Valentine’s Day.