The Valentine’s Day Lesson My Father Gave Me

We all know that childhood experiences shape our present thoughts and feelings. My childhood made me love Valentine's Day.

My dad would gift my sister and me a Valentine's Day-themed stuffed animal every Valentine's Day. Whether coming home from school, dance practice, or a sporting event, we would find the little animal on our beds at the end of the Day. It didn't matter how old we got, whether in college or "too busy" with our lives; our dad made sure to get us one.

He would do the same for our mom. My mom now has over 30 stuffed animals in the corner of her bedroom, each symbolizing another year of marriage.

This year is the first Valentine's Day without my dad since his passing. The grief hasn't been linear, and today, I have felt a bit of sadness, especially for my mom. It was one of her favorite holidays to celebrate. I also feel a bit of joy. My dad made Valentine's Day special for the whole family; those memories will always be there, living in our hearts. I feel grateful knowing I had the opportunity to have someone in life that cared so much about his people.

Love is everywhere—maybe in the form of something romantic, maybe in the form of friendship and family. Maybe it's in the in-between, the little beautiful moments that make up our everyday lives. We don’t always remember it, or acknowledge. There are times where I have even been scared to run towards it, but days like these remind me of the love we have, the love and share, and the love we give.

Whether today finds you surrounded by those you love, remembering someone dear, or taking a quiet moment to reflect, may you carry with you knowing that love surrounds us, even in the spaces we least expect.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Love,

Ari