So how was your Valentine's Day?

Ours was good. We exchanged our handmade cards this afternoon. Levi wrote a letter to me that he included in his. It was the kind of letter that a dad wants to receive, that should find its way into a scrapbook, or a drawer of special things. I imagine that I'll read it from time to time, it's that good.

Kim and I were the recipients of a night of free childcare from our wonderful next door neighbors tonight, so we snuck out for dinner. We haven't been to the Olive Garden in a long time, but it's one of Kim's favorites. I got a gift certificate from a couple of students for Christmas, so we rolled out the door and off the Garden. It was packed. It took us about an hour and thirty-five minutes to get a seat. But it was worth the wait. We had a great meal and fabulous conversation.

I have a friend who says he doesn't believe in Valentine's Day. He refuses to buy into a man-made holiday, believing it to be an hyped-up excuse to spend hard-earned cash on cards and candies. Aren't we supposed to show love to the people in our lives every day?

Sure. Most definitely.

But just wait until you find the love of your life, or have a child of your own. When love awakens, it is one thing to celebrate it every day. It's another to realize that world is celebrating love with you on this one day.