Valentine's Day: Give the gift of TIME

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I'm sure you're all (well at least the females are) thinking about what to do to make the day extra special. Although I am a lover, Valentine's Day is just another day. The way I see it - we should love and be loved everyday. Right?? You shouldn't have to go out of your way on one particular day, spending lots of money on flowers and cards, to tell your significant other just how much you adore them. Unfortunately our society has blown Valentine's Day out of proportion and we've become a culture that values "things" more than sediment. But are those "things" really from the heart or just given because it's expected? Hmmm.

So here's what I propose. Stop wracking your brain on what to buy. If you truly want to do something special for your Valentine, I encourage you to give the gift of TIME. And no I am not talking about your time to pick up the roses, go buy the card, or wrap the chocolates. I am talking about quality time just the two of you. Between work, family, technology and the social calendar, it's easy to let distractions slip in between your relationship. Talk about a slippery slope leading to an unhealthy relationship. There is no gift or amount of money that can bring the two of you closer than giving each other your undivided attention. Put away your cell phones. Shut down your computers. Stop twittering. And just BE PRESENT. Do something you both enjoy - together. Even if it's just going on a long walk or a simple dinner. Any time with good conversation and lots of laughs is therapeutic for the soul. It always makes me sad when I look around at couples in a restaurant that have their faces in their plates, their body language screams "get me out of here" and they never say a word to each other. Now I am not by any stretch a Therapist but my theory is that although they are spending "time" together, it's not quality time. You need to engage yourself in them. Ask about them. Love on them. Reach your hand out to them. Give them uninterrupted time. Make them feel like they are your only priority in the world. It's the little things. Not the gifts. In the end, isn't it true that the best things in life are free?