Valentine's Day

I posted this on Facebook, then realized...Hey! I have a blog for this! I'm still getting used to it.

So here it is again, and then some:

I think I know one reason I love this holiday even though it's been commercialized.

Because, even though I love Christmas, the main point is Christ but we celebrate Santa. Christ = Love, and we give gifts to show that love...handmade or grandiose, it doesn't matter. We just GIVE. We give our kids gifts to show our love, but Santa get the credit.

Because, even though I love Easter, the main point is Christ but we celebrate the Easter Bunny. Christ = Love, and we celebrate spring and new life, and new beginnings to remind us of Christ's triumph over death and sin...and we shower those we love with reminders of that, but the Bunny steals the limelight.

But on Valentines Day, we just celebrate LOVE. If Christ = Love, then isn't this about Him? Who loved us more than any other? And loves us still? And when I celebrate Love by giving, by writing notes, making phone calls, giving chocolates, hugs, and treats, it's still from ME. Not a bunny or a jolly, fat man...from me.

And the receiver knows it's from me. They know I love them...not because I spent money or made a show, but because I took the time and made the effort. I can love them every day of the year, and try to show that love. But I can still mark one day as special to celebrate that love, and have fun doing it.

So to all my friends and family -- HERE'S TO LOVE! Hope you know I care very much about you, and that you have a spectacular day. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And let me add...notice I didn't say ROMANCE. I'm talking love here. Young, old, single, attached, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends, and cousins...we can ALL feel like this holiday is for US.

By the way...I still have some fun with Santa. But the Easter Bunny doesn't exist at my house. :) We do egg hunts and stuff...we have fun. But we don't mess around with any possible confusion around the resurrection of Christ. Santa can still kinda-sorta be tied back into Christ. But the Easter Bunny? lol

Here are a couple fun links I encourage you to go over with your children. Make this holiday MORE than just candy hearts and chocolates! It can be so fun, a family day, a making-memories and traditions day.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng
SHOW THEM WHAT KIND OF MARRAIGE YOU WANT THEM TO HOLD OUT FOR, AND WHAT TO WORK FOR! This can apply to any relationship: parent and child, sibling, neighbor, friend. The little expressions...EXPRESSIONS of love...are so important.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/valentines-day/history/val-history.html
This is a great overview for kids, covering all the different possible origins of the LOVE holiday. :)


http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/807655/fun-facts-about-valentine-s-day
I enjoyed reading this. Just some fun facts surrounding today to get a kick out of.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/#cupids-favorite-traditions
THIS IS COOL! Do we think that Americans are the only ones who celebrate Valentine's Day? Think again!

Remember, just like Easter, Passover (yes, Passover), Lent, Palm Sunday, Epiphany, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and many, many more holidays, Valentines Day has Roman Catholic roots. Which means they have Italian roots. Which reaffirms that Italians rock. ;) No, really...it means these are all CHRISTIAN holidays. Which means Christ-centered. Let your kids know. They can have fun AND know the fact that Christ is part of EVERY GOOD THING.

HURRAH FOR LOVE!!!!