There was a time in my life where Valentine’s Day didn’t have much meaning to me.  I didn’t have someone special in my life to share it with, I wasn’t the “popular” one in school who got several paper flowers from admirers, and the day just seemed like another day where everyone else seemed happy and in love.  Everyone, but me.

     Love – we all need it and have experienced it in different forms from parents, children, spouses, siblings, friends, pets, etc.   There is romantic love, love for a sport, love for God, love for your community, love for art…you get the picture.  Love is the greatest source in which we can access.  Some of us measure our life achievements and sense of ourselves by who loves us and if we are doing what we love. 

     There are three great things about love that I don’t want to miss out on in life.  First is the feeling of giving love.  I enjoy showing my husband and daughter how much I love them.  Sometimes, I show them by doing special things for them or just whispering, “I love you.” Second is receiving love.  At the end of each school day, my daughter proudly tells me, “Mom, arms out.”  Then, she goes into the farthest room away from me that she can.  Shortly, I hear a pitter patter of her feet.  Next thing I know, she jumps up into my arms, giving me a big “school hug”.  My day isn’t complete without receiving her gift of love.  Or maybe, it’s your dog meeting you at the door when you get home, with his tail happily wagging and his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

     And third is enjoying or experiencing love.  When you were growing up, were there times in which you enjoyed the love within your family, community, church, etc.?  Are you working at a job or have a hobby that you love?  The question is, are you doing what you love?  If not, what is holding you back?  I’ve been blessed to have experienced not only my own family’s love, but love from God.  He loved us so much that he sent his son to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life.  How cool is that to experience?