To February...With Love

I’ve never been a fan of February. It usually brings with it the Winter Blues, which stands to reason why I would just prefer someone tap me on the shoulder March 1 and tell me it’s safe to come out of hibernation. I anticipate February with my heels dug in, arms outstretched, trying with all my might to keep this month of doom at bay. But realizing there’s no stopping it, I try each year instead to welcome February, well…with love. I revert to the fond memories of first grade when my classmates would drop, one-by-one, Valentines into the red construction paper bag adorned with heart-shaped doilies I had proudly made. I couldn’t wait to see what each friend had picked out especially for me with, what I knew, was the same thought and consideration I had taken to match the perfect Disney character to each of them - especially Brian who sat on the third row, and in my 7-year-old words was, “cute as a button.” To think about those days makes my heart smile, and for a minute I decide to embrace February with hugs and kisses. This year, I may even ask February to “Be Mine.”