My Special Day

I know that I've already stated how important love is here and how it shouldn't really be a focal point on one reserved day. Yes it should be shown daily to whomever the special ones are in your life.

I never really make huge deals out of birthdays, Christmas or Valentine's when it comes to the commercial aspect. Of course for my birthday I thank God for giving me another birthday. I definitely celebrate Christmas and Easter for the real reason but gifts for me I don't ask for it. I give but I don't ask. Just appreciation is enough for me.

With that being said I still thought that I'd share what I did get for Valentine's Day and in my eyes a little definitely means a whole lot.

Ayanna really wanted to give me something but she wasn't able. I told her that I didn't expect anything. I mean that. Joe gave each one of his favorite girls a single stem rose, pink for them and red for me. The box you see beside them was heart shaped with assorted candies and a balloon which he gave each of us our own. So sweet. I'm a sucker for candy.

Aliya made me a 25 reasons Why I Love You book. She decorated an old journal with glitter and attached her brand new pencil that she received at her last dentist appointment to it. It just so happened to have red hearts on it. Awww.

Here are a few exerpts of what she wrote:

#3 You can make a bag of candy disappear like magic (she knows me)

#7 You're very good with kids (I do my best)

#9 You make me laugh (I think you're the only one who gets the most tickled at me)

#12 You came home to be with us (heartfelt)

#20 You're the best Mommy in the galaxy (all smiles)

Words from the heart mean so much when they are sincere. These are the things that make me happy. Of course we all like some material things but I can cherish something like love for always.

Letter To My Valentine

It's funny how things work out. After high school I had ideas to move to Illinois to go to DeVry Institute of Technology to pursue a career in electronics. My recruiter talked me into Ohio because well he sends all of his recruits to Ohio. I said ok. During that time in my life you were in Germany preparing yourself in the Army just in case they needed you in the Gulf War. I never knew you or anything about you.

Somehow you decided after two years it was time to return home and I'd graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences and decided to stay here. Somehow we both ended up working a temporary job that became permanent for the both of us at a huge cellular phone company. Remember back when cell phones were as big as bricks? Ha!

You were a friend but that's it nothing more. I never thought that one day my work friend would be my husband, the father of my two children. How did this happen? I remember I asked you out on a friendly date because I'd won two tickets to a comedy show not knowing how you really felt about me, how did I not see the signs? Somehow after that night we were attached to the hip and after 16 years and after all of the trials and tribulations. I'm so happy to have you in my life. Did all of this happen due to coincidence? I think not. Fate is a better word. I believe our lives are already written for us but we have the control of adjusting the script. Thank you for being a great father to our children and a great husband to your wife and not to mention a great friend from the start. Happy Valentine's Day My Love.

Can't wait to share many more with you. My Valentine forever and always.

Top 10 Frugal Valentine's Day Ideas

Boy! Where has the time gone? It's already a few days past February. The next thing you'll know. It will be time for Spring Break and all that goes with it. Pretty blooms, fresh air and birds singing.

Since it is still the month of love, let's talk about it shall we? For years I used to hear people say that St. Valentine's Day was a made up holiday for card companies just to sell more cards. Well doing my research that's far from the truth. Yes the day was really observed for Saint Valentine (which you can research yourself). For your sake I won't teach history class today ;-) and actually they say that the 1st Valentine was made in the 1400's and the 1st one to be printed and sold was created in the 1850's waaaaay before Hallmark. So now that we have that out of the way. Lets talk love and how to express it without breaking the bank since a lot of us are still recovering from Christmas. These are Yanli Home's:

TOP 10 FRUGAL VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS

• One of my favorite things to do is leave little love notes around the house where your love will find them. Tell your love how much they are appreciated.

• If you always make dinner. Make it special this Valentine's Day. If you normally eat with your entire family. Try feeding them a little earlier and setup a dinner for two with candle light and soft music.

• Your love may like things that have nothing to do with romance but it may make them smile just because you gave it from your heart. I remember one year when hubby and I were dating all I wanted was a new vacuum for my apartment and I got it. I had a Happy Valentine's Day that year. hehe.

• Draw your love a bath and when they are all relaxed continue with a nice massage to knead all of their troubles from the day away.

• Ice Cream Sundae's for two with all the fixins. It will be even better if you make them yourself.

• One year when the girls were smaller after we put them to bed again here comes the candlelight and soft music. I surprised hubby with chocolate strawberries and Champagne. So romantic.

• I'm not sure what part of the world you live in but if the weather's nice right now, take advantage of it and go for a nice walk. Totally free and loads of quality time together.

• Turn on the tunes and dance, dance, dance. Your in total control of the genre.

• Dedicate a song to your love on the radio.

• This time of year you can also put a small valentine shout out in your local newspaper.

No one ever said that you have to break the bank to show your love. Besides love should be celebrated each day that you awaken. Valentine's Day just helps us to remember why you fell in love in the first place. If you have kids don't forget about them share your love by making Valentine's together and exchanging them. I've gathered lots of ideas over the years  at the Family Fun website with my kids and they've always loved them.

What Valentine's Day plans do you have for you and the one(s) you love?