Old Little Valentines

Britt-Arnhild made a passing comment on my blog months ago that changed the way I look at Valentine's Day. It profoundly changed the way I approach the day.

I was writing about my Grandfather, about his illness and our relationship and memories I have of us together when I was a child. And Britt-Arnhild wrote these five words: Such a beautiful love story. Simple enough observation, I suppose. But the thought of a girl and her grandfather... the thought of their story as a love story... pressed into my heart and made me gasp. This is a love story, I thought. I gave love. I accepted love. How many other similar "love" stories have woven themselves into my life? How many of them am I missing? How many love stories am I neglecting to celebrate just because they don't look as I think they ought?

And so I began to think. And I realized that I do have Valentines to write this year after all. Many of them. Just as a child writes dozens of cards and sends them to everyone she knows, so too will I. So here they are, in no particular order. Although this is, by no means, a comprehensive list:

To Junior – For making me laugh every day between 1 and 2 PM. And for bringing the mail despite the rain, sleet, snow and hail.

To Gilmore Girls – For seeing me through many a Tuesday night. Wish you’d come back.

To Grace, Shelley, Amber, JoAnne, Traci and Lisa – For standing by my side. Rushing to my aid. For showing me that true friends are among the best God hands out. (JoAnne told me last night about the chicken coop!) My love for y’all runs deep.

To My Family… all of you – For everything. We might not have it all together but together we have it all.

To the memory of Maebelline – Darling kitty. First Valentine’s Day without you. I miss you terribly. Wish with all of me you were still here.

To my Kelvinator oven – For the perfect cornbread. And for only catching on fire that once. I'm glad you've hung in as I’ve written my book.

To You – For defining “deliriously”, and teaching me to know the difference. You were my sweetest downfall. I loved you first.

To Regina Spektor and Tristan Prettyman – For making the album(s) I would want to, and providing the soundtrack to dance around in my underwear.

To my books and piano and garden - For the delight and escape.

To Terilli's, my favorite restaurant - For the al fresco memories. (And the cute guys who park my Jeep.) I still crave you.

To Victoria Magazine – For the grace, beauty, and words you’ve brought. Congratulations on your rebirth.

To Grandma – For doll dresses and fried okra and flowers and the Cowboys. I think parts of me are yours. My cookbook is for you.

To Howard Payne University – My dear alma mater. For the exams, the challenges and the people you brought into my life. They taught me how to learn and how to love. Thanks for the law degree. Sting ‘em, Jackets.

To Alicia Paulson – For writing the blog I want to read everyday.

To Big D – For capturing my heart. Thanks for seeing me off.

To Little D – For welcoming me here. Thanks for becoming my home.

To my Savior – This is how I know what love is. How could I ever repay the debt of love I owe?

To my blog readers - Thanks for showing up. Not sure why you do, but thanks. Happy Valentine's Day. My love, Brin