All You Need is Love
“All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.”
-The Beatles
My favorite holiday is approaching. I know people say they hate it; that it’s a Hallmark holiday, but not to me. To me, celebrating love is everything.
My high school French teacher never called me by my name. It was always “Toujours l’amour” . . . . “Always love”. I earned this nickname by spending many a class with that wistful, dreamy look that accompanies the daydreams of the last time I saw him, some sweet thing he said to me, the way his lips felt and when I would see him next. I guess I’ve always been in love with love.
Valentine’s Day should be celebrated with soft music, a massage in front of a roaring fire, Beef Tenderloin Stuffed with Lobster Tails, strawberries & cream and fluted glasses of bubbly champagne. Alas, I’ve spent too few Valentine’s Days with this kind of romance.
This year will be no different. I have no romantic love interest; no one to take me in his arms and whisper sweet nothings, no one to dance with in the kitchen, no one to buy me a mushy card and a heart shaped box of chocolate.
I do, however, plan on celebrating the love I do have in my life. I have two daughters who treat me with such loving care each and every day. I have supportive friends that check on me, make me laugh and warm my heart. And I have three fuzzy little dear ones that run to the door to celebrate my homecoming nightly with a wagging tail, lots of headbutts and a big hug (yes, I have a cat that really enjoys hugging – weird, I know).
On the 14th, I’ll light some candles, fix myself a LoveStruck Cocktail and lower myself into a hot bath scented with lavender. I’ll find a good Spotify mix and listen to Chris Botti on the trumpet performing “My Funny Valentine” with Sting – my absolute favorite version of the song sung to Sting’s wife of over two decades. When the water begins to cool, I’ll put on a fluffy robe, head to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of mellow red wine and assemble a simple Avocado Burrata Salad made just silky and decadent enough by the soft center of the cheese, the syrupy balsamic and the creamy avocado slices to feel decadent.
I’ll get the fire going and snuggle up with my sweet dog and watch Under the Tuscan Sun for the 100th time while I let one or two of my secret stash of Godiva chocolates melt slowly on my tongue. When the movie ends, Diane Lane’s character finds herself content and happy with the new life she’s built and she does, in fact, find her special someone – such a hopeful film.
Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find mine too one day, but if that never happens for me, I’ll make the tenderloin for my daughters, send cards and flowers to my friends and give my pets all the belly rubs and behind the ear scratches they so deserve.
I’ll continue to daydream in true “Toujours l’amour” fashion because after all, it IS always love. Love is the most important thing.
My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine,
You make me smile with my heart.
Don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is Valentines Day
. . . . . . . . . . . . So love yourself, treat yourself well and eat delicious things!
