It's a popular cliché but, at risk of sounding trite, in my relationship every day is Valentines Day. I know, it's been said many times before.
We don't need a special day to be romantic, do nice things for each other, have a special meal, give gifts, be intimate or display our love and affection for each other. We do that all the time because we are in love all the time and we celebrate love every day.
For us, the day passed largely unnoticed although words of love were spoken, small intimate touches, some kisses and a hug or two were shared and we each went out of our own way to do something to make the other person's day a little easier; just a typical day in our lives. I believe that's how a relationship works best and we don't need heart-shaped chocolates, fluffy teddy bears holding red hearts or any purchased items to make a day special.
My guy took this image
We're going through a difficult time currently, life is very pressured and just a little out of control, and my man is feeling a little out of sorts.
He has a very fast-paced job with a lot of responsibility, pressure to perform and little room for error; with the other things in our life currently, it's weighing on him. If you were to ask him, he'd say the same about me and...he'd be right. But we keep going, and that's because we are show up for each other every day, and because everything we do comes from a place of love and devotion and the willingness, the desire, to make the other person's life as easy, comfortable, safe and enjoyable as we possible can. Every day.
My man is a tough guy. He's stoic, has broad shoulders and can carry burdens that would force others to their knees. I marvel at his ability to keep going no matter the odds, his persistence, ability to find just a little more energy, physical or emotional, and at the way he get's things done. But every day I worry about that he may break.
Today I came home early and told him we'll eat out. I was hoping the break in routine would make him smile a little, and also that he may open up and talk to me, share the emotional burden. He did not; I know he doesn't want to burden me of course but I wish he would lighten the load a little, talking does that. I spoke up later as we walked through the park on the way home telling him I was worried and, as usual, he brushed it off saying something like, you know I don't break, or some such idiotic man-comment, and I let it go knowing he'd say no more on it.
I took his hand and pulled it around my waist as we walked, taking comfort from the small intimate gesture, and as we walked thought about how lucky I am to have the guy in my life every day. His hand slipped a little lower each step and I snuggled a little closer to him enjoying the feel of his sneaky hand...It's the little things that make moments right?
I don't need Valentines Day to remember what I love about my partner or to think of some way to make him look at me with those eyes of his. I don't need a special occasion to wear Honey Birdette or Victoria's Secret after a long soak in my bubble bath, and I don't need a special day to show my man that I love him. I don't want a special day for that...*I want it every day and that's what he wants too.
Our lives are far from perfect, but we work on it as individuals, and together, every day with the hope of making each day a little better than the next and a large part of that is our habit of celebrating love, every day.
Becca 💗