Valentine's Day.

Sooo, it’s Valentine’s Day […a day that some of us look forward to, while others dread it]. Well if you’re anything like me, you dread it. Everyone’s ALL IN LOVE and mushy gushy. YUCK! …But honestly, I secretly look forward to the love & bliss. [[.. I mean who doesn’t??]]

ok ok, let’s rewind it just a little bit.

Around this time last year, Valentine’s Day was an AMAZING DAY for me. I hadn’t experienced a Valentine’s Day like that in YEARS! To the guy who made my Valentine’s Day special last year, THANK YOU!

Now back to OUR scheduled program – lol

But, No seriously, I have ALWAYS dreaded Valentine’s Day because I mostly spent it ALONE [Most of us won’t even admit this]. I even have my annual Valentine’s Day routine:

1. Place my to-go order at the restaurant of my choice

2. Pick up my to-go order, BEFORE I run into lovey dovey couples

3. Stop and get my favorite bottle of wine

4. Buy myself something nice

5. Go home and binge watch a television show that I haven’t gotten a chance to watch

6. AVOID social media AT ALL COSTS – lol

let it be known that I will continue my annual Valentine’s Day tradition ---Okayyy! :)

…But for the longest time I used to get soo frustrated being alone […and NOT in a relationship]. I used to wonder what was wrong with me and why couldn’t I be loved by someone […LIKE, c’mon GOD where is the man that you designed specifically for ME]. For a long time, sis felt UNLOVEABLE! I mean I’d constantly go through a list of my AMAZING characteristics [..and then my NOT-SO-AMAZING characteristics]. Ultimately, I’d end up concluding that I’m STILL AN AMAZING PERSON WHO IS CAPABLE OF BEING LOVED !!! ....c’mon ladies, we’ve got to give ourselves credit where credit is due.

Have any of you ever heard GOD speaking to you??? Like you get multiple signs and you just KNOW that it had to be GOD sending you that sign.

Well that’s how I was REMINDED by a wise friend that, I have a man that sits high and looks low. Sis, reminded me of my committed relationship with GOD and that my GOD is a JEALOUS GOD! The conversation that I had with a group of my friends reminded me that GOD loved me and “We love each other because he loved us first” [1 John 4:19]

On that particular day, it all just clicked like, “Sis, You are LOVED, VALUED, and not being in a relationship does not deny you love.”

Begin by loving yourself FIRST! Get to know who you truly are by learning your likes and dislikes. Building that relationship with yourself first is crucial to showing others how to love and treat you. Beginning to love yourself can take time, I know it took me time but don’t rush yourself.

Although loving yourself is important, who you surround yourself with is also equally important. I encourage you to Stop and think about the very people you surround yourself with. Are they showing you love and equally pouring into you? If not, protect your peace and continue loving on yourself.

Ok I just rambled, but the point that I am trying to make is, make each day a day to show love to yourself and those you care about don’t just wait until Valentine’s Day to do so [..even when it may be hard to love yourself &/or your loved ones].

I say this to say, love on your loved ones, hold them tight, and let them know how much you love and care for them. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, so why wait until tomorrow [..or in our case Valentine's Day] to tell someone how you feel.

Starting today, let’s step out of that mentality that we have to be in a physical relationship on Valentine’s Day to feel loved and to feel special. KNOW that you are special and that you are loved 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week, and 365 days of the year [...and if someone has not told you that today, yesterday, or in awhile I LOVE YOU & YOU ARE SPECIAL !!]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!