Love. Valentine’s Day. What a joyful, easy holiday to “do”! We have license to buy lots of candy guilt free, we buy cards to verbalize different forms of affection, and we even buy gifts to display evidence of our love for another. However, the Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, is screaming through my mind right now! Using your purchasing power on these things is by no means wrong, but is that where we stop displaying our love until the next “holiday” buying opportunity? What do our daily actions, and even random purchases say about how we actively love another? And, the big elephant in the room: who are we not loving and should be loving, but we “can’t”? Here are some ways to make your Valentine’s Day happen every day, or at least more often.
1. Love is action and words. What we say can either build someone up, or tear them down. Read positive and edifying materials. That which is on the forefront of your mind is usually what comes out of your mouth. Biblical scripture is a good place to start. There are other positive blogs to follow like http://www.dianegottsman.com and http://www.mustbringbuns.blogspot.com. Read more! Some edifying book recommendations are also on my home page.
2. Love is a decision. Feelings come and go. Communicate real reasons you have decided to love those in your life.
3. Whom do you love? Whom should you love? (ugh!) The first question creates a list instantly. The second causes my hand to write much more slowly! We are commanded to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength”, “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Mark 12:30), “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44), “love one another” (John 13:34), and “do everything in love” (I Corinthians 16:14). Who is on your ‘hard to love’ list? How can you decide to show love to this person? It may start with forgiveness, and it may be a silent decision within you, which is how your action will grow outward.
4. Buy, write, say, or do?! No matter how you choose to show your love, do with sincerity (Romans 12:9), do it with the receiver’s perspective in mind, and do it with joy, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 7).
Here are some ideas to commemorate the “big day”:
Tickets to a show, concert, sporting event, movie, tour, or exhibit. Consider your mutual interests and create a memory.
Plan a trip, in town or out, doing things you both enjoy. Plan what you know you can do so time spent is not stressful in finishing the list, or disappointing because you did not get to a certain “favorite” thing. Keep it simple and enjoyable.
cntraveler.com
Flowers! Make sure the recipient does not have allergies to your bouquet. Arrange the flowers yourself, or order from a trusted florist. Even if he or she “likes” to arrange flowers, refrain from dropping off a bunch of floral selections which will need immediate attention. Your valentine may not have time for this activity, thus causing annoyance rather than joy.
If floral allergies are suspected, send a fruit arrangement.
Write on paper. Texts and emails are the norm these days, and the written word on paper seems to be fading to extinction. A carefully crafted expression on paper can mean more than 100 roses, a five star dinner, or a trip to Paris. Take time to write your thoughts, feelings, memories on paper to your Valentine. This piece of paper may be what you find decades later in a treasured place to let you know, in return, how much your expression meant to your beloved.
In short, just do what Loves does. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyday!
Mary Ellen
livingroyallytoday 
Mary Ellen, such a lovely blog. Thank you for including me. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s day, everyday, to you, too! You are quite edifying, I wish I had a bigger audience to tell!
MEA