Valentine’s Day, when my love is far away, becomes something different. The celebration is spent alone. There are no dinners out, cozy romantic evenings at home. So I am left to celebrate alone. 

But celebrate I will. 

For a life changed. For an intimacy beyond my capacity to express. For a life entertwined. For a forgotten joy, and a new one. For beauty. For the surprise of it all. For peace and excitement somehow embedded in one person. For challenges already conquered together, and challenges yet to share. For the fear of love, and the unbridled joy of it. For silliness and deep thought and soft words and a listening soul. 

Because even if she is not here with me, all those things are. And will be. 

So no. I do not get to spend Valentines with the woman I love. But she is with me anyway. Every moment. Every day. Why wouldn’t I celebrate?  I am alone on Valentine’s but not lonely. She is with me in every way except physically. 

Be well. Travel wisely. 

Tom