I think Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that’s a bigger deal when you’re not with someone. At least, that’s the way it’s always been for me…without a relationship, it was a day that reminded me that I was lonely. But in a relationship, well, usually the *first* one together has always been sort of an event (not that I can remember much about any of the others, really).

When I was a sophomore in high school, for example, I had just started *dating* J. I wasn’t really expecting anything, but the day before Valentine’s, he offered me his class ring. Student council always did the whole carnation sale thing, and he got me a bunch of carnations and gave me a cute little-kid valentine. I figured I was done. I was happy…and then I got a dozen roses when I got home. That was probably the high point of our relationship. 😉

With K, I’m sure it was something ridiculously cute and disgusting, because that was just how we were. I’m equally sure it wasn’t something that cost a lot of money, because we were in college.

X? I honestly can’t remember.

My first Valentine’s Day with Rand, waaaaay back in 2005, was special because it came around the time that we both knew it was something serious, and it was still months from our first milestone anniversary. And as much as I enjoyed that day…what I enjoyed most about it was that Rand took the time to plan something. The what didn’t matter so much to me. Since then, we once had to cancel a dinner reservation because I was sick. Last year, we decided on a low-key dinner at Taste of India, one of our favorite places.

This year is a little weird. My evening classes fall on Wednesday and Thursday, so I had to teach tonight. Tomorrow we’ve got plans, so we’ve decided to go out on Saturday, but I’m kinda thinking, “do we really need to spend a lot of money on a big, fancy dinner?” Eh.

We did have lunch together today, since I wasn’t working, and I got some pretty flowers (pictured in an earlier post), and that’s just fine with me. Rand and I celebrate our love every single day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Looking for your Face
-Rumi

From the beginning of my life
I have been looking for your face
but today I have seen it.

Today I have seen
the charm, the beauty,
the unfathomable grace
of the face
that I was looking for.

Today I have found you
and those that laughed
and scorned me yesterday
are sorry that they were not looking
as I did.

I am bewildered by the magnificence
of your beauty
and wish to see you with a hundred eyes.

My heart has burned with passion
and has searched forever
for this wondrous beauty
that I now behold.

I am ashamed
to call this love human
and afraid of God
to call it divine.

Your fragrant breath
like the morning breeze
has come to the stillness of the garden
You have breathed new life into me
I have become your sunshine
and also your shadow.

My soul is screaming in ecstasy
Every fiber of my being
is in love with you

Your effulgence
has lit a fire in my heart
and you have made radiant
for me
the earth and sky.

My arrow of love
has arrived at the target
I am in the house of mercy
and my heart
is a place of prayer.