Valentine: Then and Now

This year at the lovely age of 33, Valentine's Day was spent apart... and it did not even matter... much! I was thinking about what really V day means to me.. when I was in college, it was spent mooning over the lack of a suitable boyfriend. And later, before I got married, it whirled by in a blur of dates and gifts, all meaningless, all in gaiety. And then post marriage, the first couple of years saw us 'dating' .. gifts, flowers, wine, dinner... the works. Then it saw us sitting down for a pleasurable leisurely dinner and after 2 kids and 8 years together.. it is just another day. A day that reminds us that we are growing older 'together' and in love (still, luckily!).

V-day doesn't matter any more. The days of fireworks, guts and glory are gone past. Now it is the steady hand of love, of friendship and of support that counts more. Especially while dealing with multiple practical realities like 2 growing children, ailing parents, EMIs, professional commitments and health goals. Does this mean there is no time for romance? Does it mean I don't need any affirmation of love? Of course not. On the contrary, I can't wait for a whole year for displays of love. I need it regularly. Everyday! Snatched moments. Goodbye kisses. Many hugs. Whispered 'I love you's. Romantic SMSes. These are daily occurrences. I revel in them every day and I pray they last a lifetime.

This year, the poet in my husband sent me a lovey-dovey romantic poem that put a smile on my face when I woke up. And then I wondered if my son and daughter would go through the cycle of V Day in a couple of decades (or maybe more, hopefully!) too!

Here's to love and romance all your life.