The Season of Love

by Nancy Hightower - January 31, 2022

Valentine’s Day is thought of as the most romantic holiday with millions celebrating it worldwide. With heart candies and boxes of chocolates flying off the store shelves this month, it’s important to remember that love comes in all forms: partners, friends, and family. Everyone has the need to love and to be loved.

In elementary schools around the state, children will be passing out tiny, folded cards to all their classmates. They’ll be decorating bags or boxes to carry the cards collected from other children. Some will come with a piece of a candy or a cheap, plastic toy. In whatever way they are given, collected, or may come with, one thing will remain the same: each child will feel special, appreciated, and excited to receive these small tokens of loving friendship from those around them. Isn’t that feeling what’s important?

Here are some ways to show your appreciation to others this season, and every season:

1. Call them on the phone just to chat.
2. Send a handmade card or handwritten letter.
3. Make them a meal or some desserts.
4. Visit them.
5. Give them a hug.
6. Tell them you appreciate them.
7. Help them mark something off their to-do list.
8. Make them a gift.
9. Take them flowers.
10. Make them laugh.

Consider taking note from elementary school children this month and spread the love to as many of your friends and family members as possible. A grand gesture isn’t needed, you can simply pick up the phone and call to check in or send a small handwritten letter. It’s not just about gifts and romance, but about making someone feel important, connected, and loved.