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This year's Valentine has a very different meaning to me. Usually I just ignore the day altogether. No, seriously. Why have an artificial day of confessing love and showing affection when I have a Valentine 24/7 in my life? It did come kind of late, I was 18 when my first boyfriend came along, we promptly missed the 1st Valentine as we were too decent to cross the friendship line. But since then the Dude has really caught up for all the lonely teenage years.

Now that I am back from a very emotionally and physically draining trip to South Africa, I am rethinking my resolution to let the day pass unnoticeably. I am pretty much set on making some memories. Just pausing for a few seconds to be thankful for the life and love that I have. After getting some horrid news today about another very special person, I came to realize, that so many people that I know will be spending this Valentine differently then always. Going for trauma counseling, finding strength to smile, maybe saying "good - bye" to a person they meant to spent the rest of the life with, mourning the scrapped plans for the day and the rest of the days. I am thankful for what I have. Right now, the happiness, joy, simplicity in my life outshines any grief nestling in my heart. I don't need to jump into action to save a loved one, don't need to nurse a sick, don't need to council a brokenhearted.

Even if you are single this Valentine's day, maybe take a second to listen to your heart and jot down what makes your life worth loving and living. Maybe this is the ultimate Valentine's day: to be in love with yourself. To be in love with life. To be in love with the destiny and calling set on your life.

Here are my humble plans for the day
1. Make a Valentine bunting. I am in love with buntings and can't get enough. Here's some pretty cute ideas for you to look at:

2. Set a table. I have a nice red tea cloth that got packed into the suitcase on the last trip in place of my underwear (DH, if you are reading, please take note) and other clothing items.

3. Make some whipping tasty chocolate dessert! Here are some ideas I am still struggling between Jamie Oliver and 101 Cookbook

For Baby Boy: Swedish Rye by 101 Cookbooks or Mexican Wedding Cookies

4. Make a Valentine card Julia Child style. We have a holiday tradition for Christmas cards:

5. Have a slow, mindful day: do small things for my boys that they would enjoy

6. Have a pizza bread at our favorite restaurant that serves mainly meat and rice - we still can't figure out the difference between all the 20 dishes that come at a different price.

7. Spend as little as possible money, and as much as possible time.

8. Almost forgot! Child-friendly play dough for little hands from Sew Liberated. Just need to plan a bit in the all white appartment.

When my Baby Boy is a bit older, this is the most beautiful, tender idea appealing to my heart: love letters for your child as in Maya Made

MORE IDEAS at no cost:

Write letters to people that expect it the least: extended family, your librarian or a doctor

Make this day about grandparents: invite them for dinner, make family puzzle with your family photo on it

Make a journal entry from each family member to each family member: what I like about you the most

Do something for yourself - carve out a piece of time when its just you and nothing else (shopping sprees can be kept for another day

CRAFTING IDEAS

SWEET TOOTH LOVERS IDEAS

Adorable DIY: Meringue Message Cones from Hostess with the Mostess™

Coconut Panna Cotta with Berry and Red Wine Reduction from Sprinkle Bakes

Dark Chocolate Raw Peanut Butter Tarts Recipe from G Living

FREE VALENTINE PRINTING TEMPLATES

What are your family traditions on Valentine day? What thoughts does this day birth in you?