The Love of My Life
❣️💌
Valentine’s Day, as we currently know it, started taking shape in the 14th and 15th centuries as a day for couples to express their love. Its true origin is theorized to be much darker (which is a delicious rabbit hole if you’re so inclined).
But we won’t get into that now.
What I will say is this: Examining the shadow of things has been fruitful work for me lately. And nothing says shadow like digging deeper than the obvious.
Yes, Valentine’s Day is draped in coupledom.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned: You can’t love anyone or anything else until you start with yourself.
So this Valentine’s Day, and honestly most Valentine’s Days, I get excited to
celebrate the love I have for me.
I don’t show it as often or as consistently as I should,
but I’ve been making a real effort to shine a light on all that I am.
The good and the bad.
And embrace all of it.
One of the things I love most about myself?
My femininity.
I love being a girl and some of the clichés that come with it.
Fashion. Beauty. Home decor. Dressing up. Dressing cozy.
Lavish skincare routines just to bed rot all day.
Heaven.
The colors and symbols of Valentine’s Day feel like a global celebration of that part of me. Hearts, pink, red (especially together, accented with lilac) are some of my favorite things.
So if you think of this holiday as commercial propaganda (fair),
or a day reserved for romantic love,
I urge you to think again.
Use it to celebrate you.
The one who greets you every morning and says goodnight every night.
The one who’s never left.
The one carrying your dreams and desires through this beautiful, brutal world.
Below are a few things I have my eye on (and some I’ve already bought) to celebrate the love of my life this year.
Me.
