The human heart is conditioned to feel love for others on Valentine”s Day and to express it in numerous ways — a hand-picked bouquet of flowers, a heartfelt sentiment scribbled inside a card, or chocolates.
In the greeting card aisles with thousands of “I love you”s” and “be mine”s,” it”s unheard of to find a category labeled “to me.” I say why is the holiday just about showing love to others, and why can”t we be selfish just one day of the year? The time of waiting around for someone else to present you with a token of affection shall cease this year, darn it. It”s time you fall in love with yourself!
I love so many people. It began with my mama many years ago, her beautiful auburn hair, perfectly lined lips and most always the aroma of White Linen. Then there was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. McCormick, for whom I fell deeply at age 5. I loved my best friend Kevin in the third grade as we sat together during recess talking about things most little boys talk about. A few crushes followed, like Holly Elliott, Jolie Reid and Elizabeth Reyer — all junior high cheerleaders and not the least bit interested in the skinny kid with glasses.
Oh, how I loved my chorus teacher, Mrs. Lyons, for so many reasons, but mostly for passing me with a “C” three years in a row knowing full well I was just moving my lips the whole time.
Love has been a constant in my life with my beautiful nieces and adorable nephews. I love my dearest Chris and our four dogs: Sophia, Lillian, Stella and Naomi. I love so many people and find myself licking red, pink and fuchsia envelopes containing paper valentines year after year.
It seems much easier to love others than to love oneself. But this year is different. This Valentine”s Day I wrote myself a love letter and reminded me why I am special. It took a few moments for the ink to flow, but it was a powerful exercise in honesty. So, here”s the thing. Write yourself a love letter, send you a valentine and fall madly in love with yourself just for the heck of it.
And don”t forget the gifts! Reserve an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. Subscribe to three magazines that make you feel fabulous (my favorite is Vogue), and have a strawberry milkshake, fries and a hamburger instead of yogurt just this one time. Send flowers to your office with a card reading, “I love me.”
Be impulsive! Instead of walking past those bright yellow open-toed flats with the hot pink bow, put them on and wear them out of the store, skipping all the way. Charge them first, of course. Eat some chocolates. They will taste better coming from you since you know the right kind. Paint on a new shade of lipstick, blush or eye shadow just because you can, and go shopping for a brand new perfume. Remember to ask for the large size, body lotion and shower gel.
That”s right. This gift is for you, sweetheart! Oh, and just for fun, have it all gift wrapped so you can open it and feel the love that you deserve this Valentine”s Day … and every day. Go ahead. I dare you.
A new resident of Columbus” Southside, David Creel has owned two successful salons and written about beauty for many newspapers and magazines, including VIP Jackson. He is a former style columnist for the Clarion-Ledger. E-mail him at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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