Happy Palentine's Day!

Yeah, you heard me. Pal-entine's.

Far too many people feel angst at a day where the blatant celebration of romantic relationships is rather painful.

Don't get hung up on thinking that Romance = Woe-mance and Eros is the only love god. If you think 14 Feb is only for people bumping uglies (or attempting to), then you're shortchanging yourself.

Love exists in all forms. The wise woman realises this and celebrates the love she does have in her life, however it appears.

Celebrate your pals (friends) and any other relationships you've got that brings enrichment to your life.

What I did:

1. Brought valentine heart candy for my co-workers at the Day Job. We spent some time talking about what we liked about our jobs (such as the geographical convenience, and we don't have any weird dysfunctional co-workers).

2. Gave Their Ladyships a box of chocolates. Sharing is a kind of love.

I wish I had the wisdom to celebrate Palentine's Day when I was young and (sadly) single. I would have been much happier with myself if I had known this.

____________________________
Her Grace will still continue to write Romance novels, not so much for the celebration of love, but the celebration of happiness.

Love Letters

In honour of St Valentine's Day, I've pulled up the Love Letters posts from many years ago.  Thought you'd enjoy.  Which one is your favourite?

Love Letter #1 While you were out...
Love Letter #2 Written in haste.
Love Letter #3 Maybe I'll stop talking to you and write instead.
Love Letter #4 Spontaneity... or forgetfulness. (See love letter #9)
Love Letter #5 Ah, adolescence.
Love Letter #6 Photographic proof.
Love Letter #8 Frank and Donna and... Maggie?
Love Letter #9 Thank you for marrying me.
Love Letter #10 I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you because...
Love Letter #11 It's like a drug to my brain.
Love Letter #12 Emptiness.
Love Letter #13 The story she told the grandkids.
Love Letter #14 Puppy love.
Love Letter #15 Gratitude.
Love Letter #16 They fight crime!
Love Letter #17 Everything will be all right, my dearest.  I promise.
Love Letter #18 Look up!
Love Letter #19 Makenzie's letter, wherein she gives some thought to her future.
Love Letter #20 Ellora's courage. The letter we all wish we could write.

Have you ever written a love letter?  If not, consider giving it a go, even if it's anonymous.

_______________________
Her Grace is a sucker for a good love letter. Alas, she never receives enough of them.

belated Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was quiet for me this year. I don't have a special someone at the moment, so no bouquets of roses, boxes of chocolates or nice dinners out. I did get a really nice card from my neighbour, who's become a good friend this past year. That was sweet. And I did get a couple of cute Valentine's emails from friends, so that was special. Oh, and my Mom called to wish me Happy Valentines. So all in all, I can't complain. I made myself a nice dinner and rented the movie "Whip It" (which sounds like a really dirty movie, but isn't...lol..honest) It's a cute film set in the world of women's roller derby and directed by Drew Barrymore. I totally enjoyed it.

I got thinking about my favourite Valentine's Day. It was many years ago when I was young and just launched into the working world. I had a lovely boyfriend at the time, who was quite romantic. We happened to work in the same place, and he arranged a scavenger hunt for me that lasted the whole day. It started with a china rose and a note left on my desk in the morning. It directed me at break time to a cupboard where I found a lovely original poem and another note for the next break in the day. It went like this all day long. I was in a state of anticipation all day and could hardly concentrate on my duties. I found a chocolate treat at one stop, and a gorgeous thoroughly romantic card at another. My final gift was given to me that evening when my boyfriend gave me a lovely necklace I still have to this day. Unfortunately the relationship didn't last, but the memories from that exciting day linger.