happy valentine's day!

valentine's day seriously amuses me. every year, people i know who are actually in romantic relationships stress out about getting the perfect gift, etc. to tell that "someone" how they feel. but even more intriguing: the people i know who are NOT romantically involved get frustrated about the holiday, and each year many seem to bemoan the fact that they don't have anyone more and more loudly than before. whichever side of the coin you're on, it seems that just the date of february 14 makes emotion run high, either with joy or with angst.

today, as a girl celebrating my 26th straight valentine's day of being single, i can honestly say i'm perfectly content. actually the past month or so, i've been the most content i've been in awhile. (note: content doesn't mean completely stressfree,... just overall happy with my life and what i have in it right now :P) i can't speak for others, but i know when valentine's day angst has worked its way into my system in years past, it's usually because of a voice in my head saying "look at all the people you know who are in relationships, they have it, you want it, why can't you have it too?" or some variation thereof. and actually, when i think about it, it's a very selfish voice... as if a meaningful relationship is just something you can buy, and i should have one too just because many of my friends do. this year, i refuse to buy into the small selfish voice. don't get me wrong; i'm not anti-love/relationships/etc. if the right person comes along, i'm all about seeing what happens. but it's not something i NEED to make me a complete and happy person.

one of these years (God-willing), i'll be all excited about valentine's day because of romantic love, but for now, i'm resolved to working on patience and being content with where i'm at. and in lieu of all the flowery love notes and whatever you see around today, here's two of my all time favorite love notes that go for you too:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken." (Isaiah 54:10)

"'I have called you by name, you are mine', says the Lord" (Isaiah 43:1)

done rambling: happy valentine's day to all y'all. no matter what side of the coin you're on today, make sure to also revel in the fact that "God loves you!". really. :)