Valentine’s Day makes me blush .

I think we can all admit Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday. I mean, it’s actually not and there is historic significance to the day. But no one really cares about that do they?

If you’re single you’re either upset about it or don’t give an F.

If you’re newly dating, you’re like omg roses, thank you!

If you’ve been dating for awhile you’re all get me a bottle of wine and some Chinese food on the way home.

If you’re newly married you’re like oh em gee I’m so excited to make dinner in our first home and leave a trail of rose petals to the bedroom!

And if you’ve been married for a few years, you’re all wait what day is it?

Of course I’m totally kidding with those scenarios (am I?) and some people still take the holiday very seriously, no matter what stage of love they’re in. I love love but I love love everyday. I used to be a lovey dovey hopeless romantic and I don’t find myself feeling that way anymore. I love my husband to pieces but I’ve realized what real love is. Real love is coming home to find all of the laundry folded and the kids bathed and ready for bed. Real love is talking you down from a panic attack when you are scared for your life. Real love is staying by each other’s side through the ups and the downs. And Lord knows the military life can sometimes throw more downs than you would have expected.

Real love is putting your kids first if it sometimes means putting yourselves and each other on the back burner. They say marriage should come first and it’s important to make time but sometimes situations are unique and there isn’t time. Or there isn’t help to do that. Sometimes love is taking a leap of faith and giving something a chance, something you never ever in a million years thought you would agree to do. But when it all comes down to it, if you have each other and opportunities for yourselves and your family, how can you not? That’s real love, not what you see in the movies.

We’ve had a lot of ups and downs the past few weeks and dealt with a lot of uncertainty. And while some things are still up in the air and life hasn’t been a cake walk by any means, we’re getting by. We’re doing what we can and taking things day by day.

So no, Valentine’s Day normally isn’t a big deal to us. But this year we’re going to celebrate it as a family. We’re going to eat heart donuts and do Valentine’s Day crafts and watching lovey dovey movies. Because I like to think every occasion, big or small, should be celebrated. It doesn’t have to be a day of gifts or chocolate or roses, but a day where you take the time to just stop and think wow, I’m lucky to have so many people in my life that I love and that love me.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! xo

Photo credit: Captures by Cali

Thank you to Balloon Time for providing the inspiration and materials for this post.