Love Actually is All Around

So, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day…

It happens to be one of my favorite holidays (I can feel some of your eyes rolling already, but hear me out). Apparently (well according to Wikipedia at least), it began as a Western Christian holiday honoring one or two early saints. However it has evolved over time to be a celebration of romance. However, in my household growing up it was simply a celebration of LOVE. A time to celebrate all we loved- friends, family, neighbors, etc. Thus, this girl who was basically ALWAYS single for Valentine’s Day was the girl rallying her girlfriends or bringing candy in to co-workers. So as I read the news headlines day after day that seem to be trying to divide us, I look back at a quote from one of my all time FAVORITE MOVIES, Love Actually: “When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”

If each one of us could take the time to spread love each day, I truly believe we would all be better for it. You know instead of honking ridiculously at the person trying to get over in front of you, wave them on, we all have somewhere to be. When you see that woman walk into your office with the shoes you always admire, stop and let her know. If you happen to be up before someone you live with, make their coffee/tea first so when they come down it is waiting for them. Forget the laundry and take that nap you always want to, #SELFLOVE. Little acts of LOVE have a way of sticking with people.

So however you are celebrating or not this year, I challenge you to spend the each day trying to spread a little love. In the meantime, I have rounded up Valentine’s Day inspired for anything from a night out to snuggling on the couch.

PS- Speaking of love, I love my friend and fab photog Beth Caldwell who took these photos for me on a very cold, snowy day