Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, it’s when most people take the time to show some major love to their partner. Be it with flowers, chocolates, jewelry, or other major purchases, you’re likely to see plenty of people in the check-out line buying last-minute gifts to show appreciation.
But these big gifts aren’t really necessary. And we don’t need to limit the celebration of our relationships for a few days out of the year.
It’s been years since my husband and I actually celebrated Valentine’s Day as a Hallmark holiday. We don’t ignore it, but we usually celebrate on the small side. A card always happens, but gifts are rare, though he did surprise me last year with flowers and a bracelet, paired with the sweetest card I’ve read from him. I literally cried, y’all.
But the bracelet and flowers weren’t the reason I cried. It was the simple presentation of something where my husband explained that I had value—that I meant something to him. But he’s pretty good at showing me that all year long.
There are plenty of ways to say a lot about your love for you partner without spending a big chunk of change one day out of the year.
A few years ago, after the birth of our first child, I went down a personal journey on improving my relationship using “The Love Dare.” Most of the suggestions put the burden of showing love on the individual participating in the daily dares.
What do each of those dares suggest?
Showing love in small ways. Inexpensive ways. Ways that outlast cut flowers or candies or chocolates. Ways that outshine even the sparkle of jewelry.
Granted, as milspouses we aren’t always in the same geographic location as our partners. We can’t always physically be together due to field time, TDY, deployment, training, etc. Sometimes, the spouses of deployed service members are the best at making their partner feel loved. If you’ve ever prepped a care package for your spouse, think about the many times you’ve bought something special, something you know they’re missing, tucked a few love letters or children’s drawings into a box, made sure to say that extra “I love you” that you know they’re longing to hear.
You’re ahead of the curve. Take that mindset, and expand it for everyday.
But for the rest of you, you may be asking, “Where do I start?”
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