valentines day. my least favorite holiday. i guess when i was little it was cool -- exchanging cute little valentines, finding out who liked who, reading way too far into the "love, ____" that some boy signed on his card. then there were the candy hearts. i hate those candy hearts.

as i got older, the holiday quickly lost its appeal. it could be cuz i never had anyone to share it with, but i think it was just cuz i didn't understand why one day had to be set aside for couples and all that mushy romantic crap single people despise. 'shouldn't love be celebrated everyday?,' i thought. yes, its true. it should. and it is...for many people.

now i see valentines differently. while i'm still not completely fond of the holiday (1.800.Flowers and Hallmark make way too much profit off it), i found a reason to appreciate it. you may love and care for someone every single day, but valentines day makes you pause, step back, really take a second look at what you have, and appreciate how lucky you are.

we take things for granted, never realizing the worth of something until its taken away. so while i have this chance, and on this very appropriate holiday, i just want to emphasize how much i appreciate every single one of my friends, family and whoever else reads this babble i blog. have a happy valentines day.