February 15, 2024

My dearest,

The day after Valentine’s Day is a time for putting things away.

Bouquets of roses, expensive but fleeting, will be hung upside down to dry or be thrown into the trash. Those with a compost bin will make good use of these fragile petals. Food for the earthworms and later, the plants in the garden.

Chocolates – milk, dark and white – will be devoured with a hunger better left for the bedroom. Midnight binges and regrets almost immediately after. Crumpled wrappers guilty evidence of gluttony. A week later, a clearly expanded waistline.

Stuffed toys? Those gather dust and cause allergies.

So forget about all these accoutrements of amour. We don’t have to show our love this way.

Instead the day after Valentine’s Day is like the day itself or day before – and all the days to come. We do what is necessary to take care of each other and to listen (even when we say our ears filter out most of the conversation) and we love each other by living well and being kind.

Better than flowers or chocolates or stuffed toys any day, no?

Yours, ever and always.