for the way you look at me

in honor of the holiday, i am sure you would all deeply enjoy a heartfelt love story. perhaps a great story about how i was swept off my feet. a story of dividing, conquering, all-or-nothing romance.

well, you've come to the wrong place.

the thought of valentine's day makes me cringe. from being in elementary school praying that my paper-plate heart-shaped "mailbox" at the front of my desk would be full to walking around campus in college seeing boys carry flowers and balloons around the brickyard ... valentines has just made me sick and queezy.

but, it is the sacred day of love - and a girl loves to get flowers and chocolate (hitched or sans), so here goes - the top ten things i love.

ten. waking up on a rainy day and finding that the coffee is already made, the couch still has my fleece blanket on it from the previous night and "what not to wear" is running a marathon.

nine. anything "bogo." particularly, shoes.

eight. cleaning up my room, going through things and finding things that make me say, "oh, i remember this day."

seven. good news. i love when someone calls me with something good that i feel that they truly deserved.

six. season changes. particularly, winter to spring. summer to fall. there is nothing more beautiful than a blooming flower and a dying leaf. i truly appreciate the work of god's hand when buds blosom and leaves change.

five. something personal. a hand-written letter, a picture of loved ones, a memento to remember an event. these days, even a phone call or text message from someone estranged seems spectacular.

four. anything with reese's on or in it. reese's could be on my tax form and i'd still love it.

three. chick flicks. perhaps, some people may think this is funny because it's third on my list. but, i cannot deny the art of a well-versed chick flick. the kind that makes you smile through the movie, dream about it at night and think to yourself, "if only i could live in this film for a day." (and you know what i am talking about).

two. learning something new. when i was a nanny, there was never a day that i didn't learn something new. whether it was the love of a child or actually learning what it was like to be a mother, there was never a dull moment. now, working as an editor and a pseudo-decorator, i am constantly learning how better to do things, more efficient ways and better tricks to multiple trades.

one. as cliche as it is, the best thing that i love is knowing that i am loved. there are time when i am down, angered or sad that i think, "there is no way that i can keep going." but then, i realize that there is always someone at home waiting to say, "how was your day?" and a loved one waiting to take your mind off of circumstances. there is nothing more comforting than laughing with friends, reminiscing with family members and being cared for by a significant one.

so here it is. this is my list of the things i love. most likely not the ones that you would expect, but for me - it is perfect.

and may your day of love be perfect, too.