Valentine’s Day is one of those odd holiday’s where the origin is thought to be based on one person and then over the years, the celebrations got lost in translation.  Everyone has their own spin on it.  Perhaps it’s my age, but I like to keep it simple focusing on love and friendship.  It’s a perfect time to celebrate relationships with close friends and family.  Romantic love is wonderful, however, not everyone finds their “special someone”.  Friendships are easier to come by.  Celebrating those relationships highlights the people who bring depth into our lives.

When we talk about our hearts, we’re focusing on what drives us, the power source that keeps us alive.  The more I think about it the more questions I have.  Why is the heart a symbol of love?  Where are the origins of the shape?  Why does the shape truly not emulate the shape heart organ? The more I ventured down the rabbit hole, the less I wanted to know.  In the age of the internet, everyone is an expert.  It’s difficult to weed through the pseudo answers and find truth.  For the sake of my blog, I’ll focus on what we know.  Kindness spurs friendships.  Friendships are good.  Relationships grow love.  It is a “duh” moment.

Today, let’s celebrate friendships that sustain us.  Our closest friends, the ones that can just pick up where you left off after spans of time.  The people that call, send a text or card when you need it the most.  The friend that can finish your sentences or speaks thoughts at the same time. Somehow there is a connection of hearts which goes beyond anything we could fathom.  The joy and connectivity a friend brings reaches far beyond Hallmark moments.  If you have a special someone, today, by all means, celebrate them. Then stretch your scope and acknowledge the net of friends that continue to fill your days with warmth, laughter and love.  Take it even a step further and treat strangers with an extra measure of kindness – offer to take that grocery cart back, pay for the car behind you in the coffee line, give up the close parking space to make someone’s day or bring homemade goodies to the elderly neighbor.  Who knows, that stranger today may become a new friend for tomorrow!

This post is a bit delayed due to a mini getaway. The regular blog will be back on schedule next week along with Word Well Wednesday.