February 14, 2021

My dearest,

Valentine’s Day always reminds me of Japan. Every year, Japanese women buy chocolates – honmei choco – for their romantic partners and a month later the tables are turned on White Day.

It’s a great marketing scheme, of course. And it works. The expensive, beautifully packaged chocolates fly off the shelves.

We don’t buy each other chocolates. Certainly not on Valentine’s Day.

This year, more than ever before, Valentine’s Day reminds us not of chocolates. Not of us as a couple. Not of us as romantic partners. But of us as family. We are the only family we need, really.

You make me feel accepted, unconditionally so. That is what family should be, should make each other feel. Or at least that is what I believe.

With you, I am more than accepted, I am seen and heard and celebrated. Thank you.

And I don’t need to wait for White Day to reciprocate: I accept you. I see and hear you. I celebrate you, my love. Every day for the rest of our lives.

Yours, ever and always.