It’s all about love this week! For me, Valentine’s Day is not necessarily about romantic love. My mother, who loved holidays and celebrations, always made Valentine’s Day so special. 

What that meant for us growing up was a beautiful card outside our rooms when we woke up, along with a lovely chocolate. My mom found those 1960’s drug store kind of cards, complete with glitter and an illustration of a girl. I always felt pretty fabulous when I opened them, and really, the only message was love.

When my sisters and I were on our own, for many years my dad sent us flowers every Valentine’s Day. Such a sweet reminder of the tenderness of his heart and how much he loved us.

I carried on the tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day with my kids: they’d wake up to a beautiful card, a handwritten note, a small box of chocolates—all simple reminders of love.

Recently I was walking with my friend Michelle, who reminded me that every year I would search for the perfect red tablecloth. We’d go out and scour all the discount stores, to find just the right one for Valentine’s Day--we would begin looking as early as Christmas. She reminded me that I regularly hosted a Valentine’s tea for Lucy’s friends and their mothers, because there’s nothing I love more than the idea of celebrating love and connection, continuing the traditions my parents started, and adding my own twist.

TEA PARTY SETUP ON A FABULOUS RED TABLECLOTH

So, I encourage you to celebrate love! It absolutely doesn’t have to be romantic love, and you certainly don’t need a partner. It’s all about feeling the kind of love you feel in the ways you feel it. Love is not just for Valentine’s Day; it’s about finding it in some form each and every day.

I grew up with a very demonstrative, high octane kind of love, but I know so many other people who didn’t. That doesn’t mean you can’t create a love-filled life for yourself and others. Find it in little moments each day. Be it and create it. Start the chain.

I wanted this week’s issue to be a celebration of love, so I reached out to Crumbles and asked them to share what they love or what makes them feel loved. We received so many heartfelt, delightful responses! We narrowed it down to a couple of handfuls, which you will find below. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

A CELEBRATION IN RED

In this episode, my longtime friend and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Serle is back! Her intriguing novel, In Five Years, accompanied plenty of people through the pandemic and is about to be released in paperback. We talk about chosen family, female friendships, the writing process, intuition, my own chapter three, and my secret TikTok account. Is life about fate or free will? Tune in to hear what we say about that, and don’t miss the after show with my own @itsthelucyshow.

This episode is in partnership with:

I love pie, in all aspects and forms: planning what kind I'll make, making crust, the satisfaction of preparing the wonderful filling, and the beautiful sight and accomplished feel of the finished product. Most of all, I love sharing pie with someone who loves pie too. Sitting with someone over a fresh slice of pie is blissful to me.

Genevieve Sollecito @genthisis

I love that my 27-year-old son Anthony, who happens to have Down syndrome, still asks me to be his Valentine. Melts my heart every time!

Kay Sciullo @Kays1962

Standing outside when it's snowing, and breathing in so deeply that I feel and smell that beautiful, crisp snow, makes me smile every time.

Jennifer Coomes @Jnon23 

My midday run (and then a bath) clears my head and leaves me ready to tackle the rest of the day. To hit the reset button, just add water: a swim, a walk in the rain, a bath, or a glass of water. 

Lori Thune

Every now and then, my teenage daughter calls me after school to tell me something amazing/outrageous/confusing/disappointing/weird that happened that day and we talk, laugh, and even cry together because she CHOSE to invite me in. There's nothing better.

Lucy Thrasher @thrashergirl411

Making people laugh! Whether it's a snarky quick-witted comment, sarcastically pointing out the obvious, or even pointing out my own faults, seeing someone enjoy a good belly laugh is just the best medicine!

Claudia Lauro @CosiBella

Getting a big waffle cone ice cream and walking around, gazing in shop windows while I eat it.

Katie Killian @killiankatie        

When a quiet house, a cup of coffee or tea, a warm blanket, and a good book coincide.

Melanie Sullivan

Surprising friends in unexpected ways: sending a card, shooting them a text message, Venmo-ing them cash to get a coffee, or making a favorite dish and dropping it on their porch. It can really brighten someone's day, including my own!

Kristin Mowry @kmow817

I love talking to my parents on the phone every day. YES, I call them every day!

Lola Proest @lolapriest

Handwritten notes and cards. I feel connected to someone's handwriting, whether they are still here in person or have since passed.

Callie Cummings

As a flight attendant, I love experiencing life and culture. People travel for vacation, for business, to see a loved one, for funerals. I love connecting with others, creating an experience, making the journey just a little more magical, or creating a moment of solace for those in pain.

Dallas Bridwell @deltatango380

My husband slips out early before I wake for work to fill my gas tank. He insists on setting the table AND doing the dishes every night. He darts upstairs just before me at bedtime to make sure a fresh glass of water is waiting on my bedside table. There's no greater expression of love than doing for others.

Mimi Fowlkes

Driving with my dog, windows down, listening to music, is like therapy. It makes me feel like I can tackle anything!  

Valarie Ramirez @Bigvz         

A hot cup of coffee and a great book. If it is a murder mystery, all the better.

Anonymous

My 25 orchids! 

Roxanne Hicks @nsbmom

My morning workout is a daily form of self-care and an opportunity to have a few moments to myself before the house wakes up. Daily exercise reminds me to be grateful for a healthy body. I love the anticipation of getting my heart pumping and feeling my muscles working for me.

Alice Golubiewski

I love a dark, rainy, winter Seattle morning, window open, listening to the sounds of the day starting, sleeping in a little late with the unexpected and welcome surprise of my toddler crawling into bed next to me.

Michele Bleser @michelebleser

My dog Ellie Bear gives me so much love and expects so little back. We go on long walks no matter the weather. I can count on her to make me feel loved and appreciated.
 
Ingrid Nekkers @mayling1619

Thirty-five years into our marriage, with serious illness on our doorstep, it is as if we just fell in love. Holding hands, never going to bed mad, arguing about clothes not in the hamper, how I like my coffee, or never bringing me carnations all make me feel loved. Remembering the little things, always! 

Stacy Parelman

"Family, friends, delicious food, and a lot of champagne make me feel loved. Sitting around my dining table with my loved ones laughing, eating, and drinking.”

Lisa Whitney @ms_pretty_whitney

A wonderful woman once told me that no matter where you are physically or emotionally, what season it is or what's going on with the weather, there is always something beautiful outside your window! She was my second mother, and I love her more with every window I look through. It's how I ground myself daily.

Deb Crow @Dcrow214

The best way I've learned to love someone is to just do it: asking how I can help in an overwhelming time of tragedy or transition, showing up with simple acts of service, listening, bringing their favorite treat, folding a load of laundry. Love can be shown in grand ways, but the simplest will also mean the world.

Susan Bigbey

We devoured the pages of this yummy book and made dishes for our book club. I think we need to do it again. Let’s go!

Julie Uehlein, Wife, Mom, FOODIE
@julieuehlein
Tullahoma, Tennesse