I could go off into the usual anti-Valentine's Day harangue about not needing a day to pledge your love to someone. But as I reflect I realize what a magical day this can be ... once you get past the blatant commercialism.

When we first meet that special someone who we want to spend all our time with ... the one who makes your heart jump ... we make our concerted effort to impress and win that person's admiration, love, repect, etc. However conscious or subconscious these motivations are, they are most certainly present. And when we do win the admiration and love of that special someone we begin to lose that initial magic that compels us to capture attention. We lose that urge because we have completed the race, won the prize and are watching it gleem on our mantel. This is not a bad thing. While it is never good when romance is not a part of a relationship, we can't deny that the magic of the beginning is slowly drifting away.

Valentine's Day allows us to recapture that magic, even if for a brief time. We may not get that heart-jumping feeling or the excitement of the newness, but we can find that sparkle that made us feel good inside, made us want to make so-and-so happy, made us happy to be alive. Whether it's with a gift, a card, flowers, or a smile .... we can bring from the depths that undeniable feeling of pure, unselfish happiness. To look into that special person's eyes and see that glimmer that we saw when we first met him/her ... that glimmer that we made ourself see.

February 14th is also a day when we can attempt to find that glimmer of romance anew. We have a chance to overcome our neurotic fears and doubts and present to someone our emotion ... again pure and unselfish. As the romantic poets saw it ... love was a fanciful thing: full of beauty and jest. As much as I really don't like the romantic poets, I think they had it right. It should not be something to be considered over and over in our self-deluded minds. We can't always control our emotions or love, but we have to remember that romance isn't something that should be feared as a serious condition. Life is fun and fanciful, so make the most of this day, however you do it.

I have never been "seeing" anyone when any Valentine's Day came around(strange I know), but I still see the magic that can exist. This insight I owe to the people and experiences in my life. I would like to devote these thoughts to a few special people: to Mr MonkeyItch for showing me that life and love shouldn't be taken so seriously ... you're right ... you've helped me take things with a grain of salt when they need to be. .... to "Crusty" for making my heart jump more times than I could ever count ... you helped me see things in new light and made my life a happier place .... and finally to Miss Curious George ... for trusting me ... possibly making my heart jump ... and for showing me that anything can be overcome with enough personal strength ... she moves in mysterious ways. Ain't love the sweetest thing!?