Somehow Valentine’s Day doesn’t have the same allure for me that it has in years past. As a child I couldn’t wait to pass out and receive Valentines, my heart thumping when I would read, “Be My Valentine,” and was signed by Timmy or Jimmy or any other boy in class. I was sure it meant that they were madly in love with me, but too shy to say it to my face. My notebooks were filled with me writing, Mrs. Timmy Jones or Mrs. Jimmy Smith. Although, thinking back, I’m sure their mothers forced them to sign their names to the back of the Valentines, pass them out randomly and never even bother to read what the front of them said.
As I got older, I found that men seemed to like to buy flowery cards with lots of words, possibly thinking bigger is better. Again, I’m not sure they always read what was on the card and signed their name with an appropriate Valentine gift thinking that they made it through another holiday without screwing it up too much. (I have 4 brothers and have been privy to some of their thought processes throughout the years.)
Now, after being single for many years, Valentine’s Day, for me, is more to enjoy others experiences. My favorite Valentine movie is Sleepless in Seattle. You just can’t beat meeting on the top of the Empire State building and having the tall buildings make their windows light up into a heart shape. <Sigh…>
Harlequin Kiss Giveaway
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As a special surprise, Harlequin stopped by today to promote their Patent Your Kiss contest. On their site you can create the perfect kiss. One lucky commenter today will win a Kiss Kit complete with:
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A Compendium of Kisses by Lana Citron
Breaking the Rules by Tawny Weber
MAC PlushGlass Lip Gloss in “Big Kiss”
Scope Mouthwash
Hershey’s Kisses
Cinnamon Hearts
And finally, here’s a delightful, romantic excerpt, sent to me by a reader. 
Enjoy!
He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone.
He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice, close to my ear. “Just relax. . . ”
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing and moving upward along my calves, slowly, but steadily. My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn’t care. His touch was so experienced, so sure.
When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and I partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage. And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply. Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine and into my panties.
Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not used to taking “no” for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say . . . . .
“Okay, ma’am,” said a voice. “All done.”
My eyes snapped open and he was standing in front of me, smiling, holding out my purse. “You can board your flight now.”
Remember, any comment will give you a chance to win the Harlequin gift package, winner announced tomorrow. So, what’s your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?
Bottom Line: I claim there ain’t
Another Saint
As great as Valentine. ~Ogden Nash
Great post! I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day, depending on my relationship status. I am currently single, but I am going seize the day anyway!
Valentine candy hearts, homemade valentines made with the kids, heart-shaped meatload and pink potatoes, hugs and kisses throughout the day…for me it was the time and activities with the family, although I try to make everyday special with family, Valentine’s Day is the most loving.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Barbara!
I guess the dh and I are turning into “old married people.” We both agreed to skip the holiday this year and only provided a small gift for the kids still left at home. I figure my dear one is plenty romantic every time he fixes my car, replaces light bulbs, and gives a foot rub. I definitely don’t need a card or flowers to know I’m loved. I don’t miss those inflated, tv commercial-driven expectations.
Valentine’s Day – my Gramma’s birthday
Sleepless in Seattle…. I sigh with you Barbara!!
I think the reason I got married in February is partly due to Valentine’s Day. Anything heart related, red, pink or homemade makes my heart sing. Although my father put the cabosh on getting married on Valentine’s Day (flower costs… what a bummer), I still love being able to basically celebrate for a whole month, although my husband states it’s my sales skills that create that idea…. what a card he is!
My incredible daughter hand-made two artistic valentine’s and wrapped them beautifully for me to open with my morning coffee… could it get any better?
And the best gift of all… giving myself a mammogram today. Why not get squeezed twice on Valentine’s day, right?
My daughter’s 5th grade teacher carefully explained that _none_ of the valentines really meant what they said. She explained this twice; once to the girls, once to the boys, just so everyone was clear. Best teacher evar!!
I hated the insincerity of the cards when I was young. Not much has changed. In fact, I tend to hate greeting cards in general and would rather write and draw my own.
I don’t buy much of anything for this holiday, but I do wish everyone happy and give out plenty of hugs.
On Valentine’s Day there’s candy, flowers, pink cuteness even if it’s not even if its not personally romantic (i.e. you’re single) What’s not to like about Valentine’s Day? Besides if you’re down in the dumps over relationship issues there is always a trashy good romance/ tragic love story waiting to cheer me up.
Hi all,
I just wanted to pop on to let you know that Karen Marie Moning has a free MP3 download of “Valentine” from the Shadowsong CD that is available today only.
http://www.karenmoning.com/kmm/valentine.html
Karen did a write up on her blog about the song and the scene from Shadowfever if you’re interested:
http://karenmariemoning.blogspot.com/
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day. I think you can still enjoy yourself on Valentine’s Day even if you don’t have someone special in your life. You can always share the day with family and friends.
Happy Valentine’s Day–our family isn’t a huge fan, but I do appreciate the general reminder to tell the people we love that we love them
Well I used to Hate Valentine’s day….I’d always see people together and I would always get down on myself. Then I met this amazing man who stole my heart. We got married 5 years ago today. Making Valentine’s day an amazing day. No longer was I the lonely outcast I was finally one of those couples that were so in LOVE!!!!
Now everyday is Valentine’s
I love Valentines Day even when I was single. My mom always gave me chocolate no matter what! Now I just eat my kids candy! So its all good! My DH and I don’t really celebrate we know we love each other and alll that! We bought a heart shaped pizza for dinner so the kids will love it! Happy Valentines Day!
I prefer to be love year round not just on one day but if my hub was romantic at all I would Love valentines day as it is its just another day for me
meandi09@yahoo.com
Today I was finishing the final scene of my next book, getting my hero and heroine together forever, happily-ever-after of course. Then, as I put the last period after the last word on the last page, it occurred to that today is Valentine’s Day. What a nice way to spend it, not only writing a romance novel, but creating a perfect Valentine’s Day ending. But I’m lucky because I get to spend several hours a day wrapped up in a romance. So for me, in a way, each day is Valentine’s Day for a little while. Obviously, it’s one of my favorite holidays!
I love the excerpt! My hubby works retail so he doesn’t get home till almost 10 at night. So the dog, cat and I will celebrate in grand style (read that as leftovers tonight). Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.
My husband told me yesterday that he forgot about Valentine’s Day! He hadn’t as when I woke up and went downstairs he said to check to dining room table. There was my present all wrapped up in newspaper (going green you know!) I still believe in Valentine’s Day not the Sweetest Day thing in October which we skip annually!
Way back in 1990, I was divorced, unemployed, and Not Dating on Valentine’s day. So I wore blue to go to the Unemployment office, where 199 other people and I had to wait on a 2-hour line to collect our measly $189 checks which were supposed to support us for the next 2 weeks (hah!) I actually had a good time that day. Valentine’s day is what you make of it. Remember, if it were not for a romantic moment some years ago, most of us would never have been born.
On a happier note, the very next year hubby and I got engaged on a Valentine’s day – 20 years ago today… Yay!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Barbara! And Happy Engagement Anniversary, Susan from AZ. My husband bought me flowers and we exchanged cards. Otherwise it’s pretty much another Monday here.
Very cute excerpt!
I am a student willig to become a math teacher. Terrific job, this information is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much.
Valentine’s Day has gone overboard with all of the marketing, but if we carry the spirit of it throughout the rest of the year the true meaning will come across.
lenikaye@yahoo.com
I like the twist at the end. Happy Valentines Day.
happy birthday, grandma…i love and miss you
I hate valentines day not for the reasons ppl think I have a loving adoring fiancee we both feel the same way its over comercialized and that if you really love someone a monitar value should never be placed on that lve for me and my family we show eachother how much we love eachother everyday now dnt get me wrong I love the romance and all fo that just think romance should be an all the time thing not just one day a year and i firmly believe a gift should be given out of want and in the spirit of things not because its a comercialized holiday where every woman wants a gift and wants a pretty trinket to bragto their friends but trinkets and objectsbreak and fade but taht memory of how u feel or felt about someone lastes for ever not just one day
ty for the chance
mortalsinn@yahoo.com
You have brought up a very superb points , thankyou for the post. “Wit is educated insolence.” by Aristotle.