It’s February, so love is often on everyone’s mind. However, especially on Valentine’s Day, it can be a difficult reminder of a loved one lost, or that a person may currently not have a special someone to celebrate with, or it could even be a reminder that love hasn’t gone well for them. I will keep this in mind as I celebrate how fortunate I am to have the unconditional love of my husband, George. For those of you who don’t have a spouse or a special someone, I have a suggestion. Consider there are other options for celebrating the “love” month. The affection between friends provides for Galetine or Broetine celebrations, giving you a chance to do something fun while recognizing connections that are meaningful, though not romantic. This year I gave a friend a gift to express my gratitude for her calling every week since COVID entered the world. We both had writing in common but talking for an hour each week about anything that came to mind, covering both our triumphs and our rocky times, deepened our connection.
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’ve felt blessed by this friendship, so I am challenging you to find a way to celebrate someone who has meant something to you, be it a friend, neighbor, cousin, or even a pet. If you don’t have anyone, consider what my friend and I did. Set up a regular meeting time or phone call with a person you would like to get to know better. This will have the potential of building a special bond over time. My friend and I were acquaintances when we started, but regularity created the opportunity to go beyond that. You never know what type of meaningful relationship could develop until you make a more substantial effort to connect. If nothing else, celebrating yourself can reinforce the importance of self-love in the choices you make throughout your life. Now go and create some fun for yourself!
