February is upon us once again. The month which holds the holiday that represents the greatest gift we possess as human beings. Valentine�s Day, a day set aside to celebrate the gift of love.

I, for one, am a huge fan of Valentine�s Day. It is my favorite holiday and since it falls four days after my birthday, I am compelled to celebrate for the entire four days. As I approach my 37th birthday and my most loved holiday, I can�t help but think how ironic it is that I, a hopeless romantic, am a woman without a love to call my own. There is no special someone who whispers �I love you� nor is there someone in my life to bring me candy or flowers on Valentine�s Day. And yet, I plan to celebrate the day as if in love. Why? Because I believe in love. I believe in romance and I believe in the love that I have to give. But more than that, I believe in the romance and love that I have for myself.

Over the years, I have become very good at romancing myself. Buying myself flowers, giving myself gifts, writing love letters to read and treating myself to romantic candlelight baths. I am a great lover of romance and it is a necessity in my life. I found many years ago that this wonderful part of my life need not be void just because there is no partner to represent it for me. I learned to represent it for myself.

So, if you are a woman without a love to call your own. Plan that special day for yourself and romance your own existence. Light the candles, write that love letter, buy the flowers and prepare the bath. Because having someone to love is a wonderful thing, and yet I believe that to love yourself is greater, by far.

Happy Valentine�s Day!

Sonia

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