By Carrie Pratt

Senior's Scene

Love is in the Air

Feb 16, 2022 | 12:38 PM

I find that Valentine’s Day is a controversial holiday.

Some of us go all in, wining and dining one another and sharing affectionate gifts, while others consider the garish heart motifs and over-the-top marketing to be commercialism and frivolous consumerism at its finest.

But whether you go in for frou-frou gifts of chocolate, and titillating lingerie that’s less than practical, or – if you’re a full on Valentine’s curmudgeon – February gives us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of love and relationships in our lives.

Even if one loathes Valentine’s Day in all its gaudiness, there’s still good cause to take pause, and take time to appreciate your partner – to conscientiously break the cycle of the daily (and often mundane) routines that we inevitably develop over time.

Gary Chapman’s book “The Five Love Languages” is a seminal read on love and relationships. He shares the concept that all humans need and want to be loved in unique and individual ways, but that we can condense the different ways we all need to be loved into a universal language that helps facilitate healthier and more intimate relationships.

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The five languages he shares are: Quality Time, Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, and Words of Affirmation.

The love languages needn’t be used solely with a romantic partner – the concepts work with children and teenagers, parents, friends, and even coworkers. The 5 Love Languages Website is super helpful and will get you boned up on your love linguistics in no time.

https://www.5lovelanguages.com/start/

And maybe our Valentine’s bahumbugs out there are right – maybe we shouldn’t need a special day to celebrate and commemorate our love for one another, that we should do that on our own without a designated day. But – does it really hurt?Are we really doing that good in our relationships that we shouldn’t take advantage of the day to shower our loved ones with a little extra attention and affection?

I mean, who hasn’t grown complacent or negligent at some point in their relationships – whether with a romantic partner, or with our family and friends??

It’s always the ones we love most who suffer the brunt of our less desirable traits; they’re the ones who receive our short comments and frustration at the end of a long work day.

The month of February is notorious for being the month of love – so rather than resist it, why not fall into it?

Be kind and considerate towards your parents; buy a candle for your sister; write a letter to your best friend telling her why she’s so special to you. Go play cards with your Granny.

It always feels good to be appreciated.

Expressions of love, even in the smallest forms, make the world a better place. When we let others know how much we care for them, we feel good, and they feel good. Good vibes all around – peace, love, and happiness, man!

In February 2022, I won’t be a Valentine’s bahumbug.

I’ll buy flowers for myself, write kind Valentine’s cards, buy someone’s coffee, and go pay some visits I’ve been putting off for way too long.

Love is pretty much all that matters… so let’s get into it.

“Altogether now – all you need is love!”

Happy February!

Love, Carrie xoxo

This column is sponsored by MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium – We will be there when you need us – Bev and Brian Stobbs

130 9th St. E, Prince Albert, SK

Phone: (306) 763-8488

https://mackenziechapel.ca/