I've always had mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. And while I truly appreciate thoughtful expressions of love and gratitude, it always seems forced and a bit superficial when given only on Valentine’s Day. I'm certain of this because it feels dramatically different to receive flowers, gifts, or letters of appreciation when I wasn't expecting it. 

I can’t understand why Valentines is for some people the pinnacle of when love has to be expressed for the other person.

Why do we need opportunities to be made to express our love? Why do we need to be told to buy a card, sign it and put our crosses for kisses and circles for hugs? Why can’t we just make each day special in some way?

Valentine´s Heart Throbs

Thank you. I have so many things to be grateful for. Before meeting you I always laughed about love at first sight. And then it happened to me, with the most unexpected individual in the most mysterious way. Love is a strange thing, isn’t it? And there I was. Disoriented. Stunned. Bewildered. Like a fool, trying to make you realise I was there. We were really good friends. We laughed and shared our problem-free lives. We drank and danced and talked and walked through every single street of the city. We shared coconut wafers. We discovered the most amazing songs and went to every concert. We played board games. We discussed every single subject and we put the world to rights time and time again. And at some points I felt so scared of how perfect life was that I wanted to spoil it just to check I was still alive. I must admit I did it, trying to lessen the dizziness.

Cured Ham, Spinach and Parmesan Croquettes

Last week I wrote about happiness. This week is the turn to love.

 Valentines is around the corner and everyone seems to be a little bit more happy. Or maybe it is because January is almost over, and let’s be honest, it is not the best of months. And yes, I agree. Valentines was invented by the big brands just to give us another excuse to spend our money. It is such a post-Christmas overspending withdrawal syndrome.  But leaving the consumerism aside, Valentines give us the chance to give and receive love.