By Ashley McIlwain

If you have a pulse, then you are most likely aware that Valentine’s Day is looming around the corner. Some jump for joy at that realization while others dreadfully express their disdain for this chocolate-covered day of love.

It is arguable that Valentine’s Day is merely a marketing ploy to get people to buy unnecessary and sometimes ridiculous looking items in hopes of adequately conveying their love to that special someone. True there is more candy, flowers, and cupids on this day of love to last us the whole year through. And yes, there is enough pink and red dominating the aisles of every store to make you feel slightly nauseated.

Even if this is the most commercially driven holiday yet, would it be the worst thing in the world to take one day out of the year to focus on the love of your life? Is buying flowers for your wife or chocolates for your hubs torturous? Will sitting down to write out a heartfelt card to someone you love cause you bodily harm? Of course not!

I mean, isn’t it easy to get so caught up in life’s chaos that you sometimes forget to give due time to that one person that makes it all worthwhile? The truth is that most of us need a reminder to express a little love. We need a day set aside to help us take a moment or two to do something thoughtful for someone who most likely has done a lot of thoughtful things for you.

Instead of cringing this year that you are stuck funding some bogus marketing ploy, embrace the opportunity to express a little love to those you love. Get a tad gushy. Be love birds for the day. Have some fun with this day of over-the-top, mushy, sentimental lovey dovey-ness.

Get creative. Channel your inner romantic and emotionally splurge on that special someone. Light the candles. Put words to your feelings. Hold hands. Dote on the love of your life. Say, “I love you!” a thousand times. Get lost in one another’s eyes.

Valentine’s Day isn’t something to dread or fear. And it’s actually irrelevant whether it’s a money-making scheme or not. What it is though is an opportunity. That’s right; a unique and wonderful chance to take time out of life’s demanding pandemonium to relish in the joy, comfort, and incredible gift of that special someone in your life.

Maybe you can’t buy a hundred roses, but you can give a bushel of hugs. Perhaps lavish gifts aren’t a realistic option, but you can shower your spouse with compliments, encouragement, and kisses. True, romance might not be your strongest suit, but you can put forth your absolute best effort.

You see, the point of a day dedicated to love isn’t delivered in a pretty box or vase. The gift comes with the sincere expression of gratitude and love for someone you adore and cherish. The point is to take time to let those you love know just that … that they are loved.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. –1 Corinthians 13:13