Well, here we are at the holiday that so many of us love to hate: Valentine's Day.
We've all heard the cynics blaming the Hallmarkians of the world for sentimentalizing love. Why have a holiday to celebrate love? My relationship doesn't need another burden for card-buying and gift-giving. It's a royal pain.
Really?
My Lawfully-Wedded and I have decided to buy some trees to reforest the planet for Valentine's Day this year. We actually don't need cards and candy to remember we love one another, and we like doing things that enhance the Earth, so it was a perfect solution for us.
Plus, at this moment, we're both crazy busy, so the mandated LoveFest just didn't work for us this year.
On the other hand, I feel like we had our Valentine's Day on Wednesday, February 2nd. That was the day the heavens poured snow and sleet and ice over Boston and the town we live in and the workplaces we contribute to called it a Snow Day. Everything was cancelled. We were in our home together, and we talked.
We talked off and on all day about anything and everything. The show she's directing. Our recent trip to the City. Our car. The snow on our roof. Her recently deceased nonagenarian parents. The craziness of our siblings. People we know. Places we want to visit. Where we might live when she retires.
The next day this quote appeared on Google: "Peace is people talking together with a heart between them." Author unknown. I love that anonymous coiner of quotations, don't you?
What happened for our marriage on February 2nd was peace. Two people talking together with a heart between them. We cleared up a couple of silly misunderstandings. We worked out what we'd do for Valentine's Day (she's in tech rehearsals, so the answer is nothing). We kept our eyes on the heart of our marriage which we share between us.
This doesn't only happen between spouses, though. It can happen in any relationship where the heart between you takes focus. And it's that heart that needs attention and nourishment in order for relationships to thrive. Not only on Valentine's Day, but every day.
Thriving relationships create peace in the world. How cool is that?
Happy Valentine's Day!
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For spiritual nourishment, visit Dr. Susan Corso's website and blog, Seeds for Sanctuary. Friend her on Facebook.