happy day of love!

{image from here}

Unfortunately (or fortunately), I don't have a wicked mustache to coerce you to be my valentine - but I hope you're all surrounded by loved ones on this day, whether in their physical presence, via Skype, on the phone,  or by looking through photos and snail mail from the people you love.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

While most of today will be spent with me cooped up in an editing room and The Boy stuck in his office, we're coming together tonight - me with my (hopefully yummy) homemade dinner, and him with dessert. 'Til that moment, I'd like to reflect on things I love (also known as simple smiles):

01. Catching up and celebrating a birthday with closest friends over a shared plate of cheesecake dessert.

02. Fitting in random songs into conversation; PERSON: "If you just go over that hill there--" ME: "The HIIIIIILLS are ALIIIIIIIVEEEEE WITH THE SOUND OF--" Okay, maybe not quite like that.

03. Trying out new recipes (here is the recipe of the week, which I can't wait to try out!), all the while biting off my fingers in anxiety (not the part I love), only to find that everyone who samples the completed meal loves it. 

04. Getting things in the mail - ergo, the postcard project will be coming back in a couple of weeks!

05. Random lovely messages from friends. 

06. Cuddling on a Saturday afternoon. 

07. Nutella. And coffee. Mmm. 

08. Attempting to make homemade gifts that usually look pretty bad but it's the thought that counts, righto?

09. Learning various phrases in different languages. I can say "hello" in a variety of languages (mostly thanks to herro hachi), and now I'm trying to master "I love you" in many languages! Here goes: szeretlek, ja kocham ciebie, mahal kita, je t'aime, ti amo, wo ai ni, saya cinta padamu! How do you say it in your language? (And if it's English, I love you too.)

10. Watching movies with my parents (last night it was Despicable Me). 

11. Looking back at best memories and vacations, and fantasizing about where I'd love to go next!

12. Hugs. Any kind of hug (especially bear hugs). 

13. Painting my nails a different colour every other day. 

14. Y-O-U! (in a strictly platonic sense, of course.) And all your sweet comments on my last post!

Hope this day overwhelms you with love & happiness! Now, I have to ask:

What's something you love?