Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I know there are a lot of people who don't much care for Valentine's Day, whether it is because it demonstrates the commercialism/consumerism that drives our country or it is because they are single or something else, but I have to say, I am a BIG fan, and always have been.

I love love and I love celebrating love. Valentine's Day is just this wonderful excuse to send people cards and tell them that you love them :) I'm a romantic, can you tell??

beautiful flowers from JT :)

This year my sweetheart and I are on opposite sides of the country, so there was no typical Valentine's Day date night. However, let me say, we made the most of it! Via skype we had a really lovely dinner date, where we had wonderful conversation and really just enjoyed each other's presence (thank you, technology!). While we were talking, the doorbell rang and... to my wonderful surprise a beautiful bouquet of flowers was dropped off for me, with a sweet little note from my love. Flowers are a sure way to my heart :) It was so great getting to feel so much closer than 3,000 miles away. I got to see the expression on his face when he opened his gifts, one of which was an "edge brownie pan." To me, little things like that are priceless!

[via]

At New Futures we celebrated Valentine's Day by decorating hearts with the Colorful Hands kiddos. Once again, I was impressed--they have such creativity! I also did a similar activity with the kiddos I take care of during the ELL class and also with the wonderful little girl I babysit. Can you tell I love hearts??

by ELL Child Care Kiddos

Audrey's workbench!

Colorful Hands Kiddos working hard!

Hearts by CH Kiddos!

All their beautiful work is pretty precious, huh!?

Wherever this finds you, I hope that you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day celebrating with a lovey, a good friend, your family or just some delicious chocolate and a glass of wine.
Wishing you all the love in the world!