I used to dread Valentine’s Day.

I mean, back in my days as a single gal, I could not wait until it was over—February 15th couldn’t arrive fast enough!

When I met the man who would eventually become my husband, part of my “Happily Ever After” was this:

The remarkable discovery that Valentine’s Day…was just….a day.

While we were dating and throughout our marriage, my spouse would always do the “liitle things.” You know, those simple, yet incredibly thoughtful gestures we’ve all come to associate with Valentine’s Day.

Every week, he would get me my favorite chocolates.

We would both surprise each other with little presents throughout the year (not just on Christmas or birthdays, which was a good thing since both our birthdays were so close to Christmas, we felt “cheated” growing up when it came to gifts).

We’d grab a bite to eat at a restaurant once a week and have conversations over coffee during late nights or on weekends.

It was the little things that we did for one another that we enjoyed—all the time, not just special occasions.

The little, thoughtful things made special occasions such as Valentine’s Day an ordinary day.

I became a widow in 2017, but instead of dreading February 14th as I once had, I now look at it as just another day.

Another day made special by the memories I once shared many years ago.

And the hope to make many more memories in the years to come.