I am co-hosting the Love Blog Challenge today. The prompt is “Valentine’s Day.” I’ve shared the prompt list for the rest of the month below but also feel free to head over to Brita’s Introduction Post for more details and ideas for each prompt. We’d love to have you join us!

I used to HATE Valentine’s Day. And not for the reasons you’re thinking. Honestly, when I was single, I didn’t really hate the holiday. It certainly wasn’t my favorite, but it was fun to send Valentines to my classmates and to get silly gifts from my parents.

But when I started dating Pearson seriously, I hated it. Absolutely hated it. I hated the pressure. I hated the awkwardness of it all. I hated the questions “what are you two doing for Valentine’s Day?” and the judgement when it wasn’t a good answer. I hated giving and receiving silly pointless gifts. Nobody needs another stuffed animal that sings. Basically I thought it was a pointless holiday because you should show your love every day of the year.

While I still fully believe you should show and tell your loved ones that you love them every day, I do really enjoy Valentine’s Day now. In fact, you could even say I love this day of love!

Why is that? Well, I’ll tell you!

ONE || It’s an excuse to shower your spouse with love.

Again, you don’t really need an excuse, but it’s nice to have a reminder, you know? I like to do fun little things daily and big, grand things on random days in addition to Valentine’s Day!

TWO || It’s an excuse to be fancy.

When one of you works from home on her blog full time and the other works in a fab where it doesn’t matter what they wear because it’s covered by a bunny suit, you get excited for an excuse to dress nice. Plus fancy restaurants, candle light, and expensive food are nice for a change too.

THREE || OR we can chill at home and take the pressure off.

All the pressure surround Valentine’s Day is the main reason I’ve hated it so much in the past. But once we got married, we seemed to take the pressure off of the holiday. Now we don’t even go out on the actual day. It’s too much of a hassle to beat the crowds (but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Valentine’s on a different day OR have a fancy meal at home).

FOUR || We take a break from our current binge.

Most nights we spend the evening watching a few episodes of (one of) our current shows after dinner. But on Valentine’s Day we always make it a point to watch a fun romantic comedy. And Pearson doesn’t even mind!

FIVE || It’s also a reminder of other kinds of love.

Just like I think a reminder to show love to your spouse can’t hurt, it also doesn’t hurt to be reminded to tell all your loved ones how you feel. Be kind and shower everyone with love!

SIX || It’s also a great reminder to love yourself.

I’m not sure this one needs much explanation. Shower yourself with love on Valentine’s Day too.

SEVEN || The decorations.

I don’t love pink and red but you have to admit they make you happy this time of year. I do love purple though and there are plenty of purple tented decorations. too. Plus there’s glitter on everything which is reason enough to love this holiday!

EIGHT || Chocolate.

Again, I don’t think this one needs much explanation.

NINE || Galentine’s Day.

You guys. I’m going to my first ever (official) Galentine’s Day party this year and I am stoked!! (If you don’t know, it’s when you get together with your girlfriends and shower them with all the love – Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec coined it).

Side Note: I feel like I’m overusing “shower with love.” Am I?

TEN || Punny Valentine’s Day cards.

Last but not least, you have to revel in all the cheesiness that is Valentine’s Day and the punny cards are the best of all! I especially like this “I think of you periodically” one for Pearson. There are all kinds of nerdy ones out there that just make me smile. Think “Yoda one for me,” and “you R2 good to me,” “you’re a keeper,” and “Wingardium LOVE-iosa.” I just swoon!

So yeah, my opinion on this holiday has changed over the last few years. Do you love Valentine’s Day too? What are your reasons?

Thanks for reading! And be sure to link up any “Valentine’s Day” posts below!

Meet Your Hosts:

Brita Long is the pink and sparkly personality behind the Christian feminist lifestyle blog, Belle Brita. On her blog and social media, you’ll discover more than authentic storytelling–she’s brutally honest about pursuing a fulfilling and joyful life even with Crohn’s Disease and depression.

Kayla Whitter is a 20-something INFJ and Hufflepuff. She works full-time at a local university, goes to graduate school, and runs the lifestyle blog A Paper Arrow. Her favorite things include reading, drinking coffee, eating Chick-fil-A and Mexican food, and hanging out with her hubby and cat (Courage).

Charlene is a 20 something wife and fur-mama living in Portland, Oregon. She’s a follower of Christ, watcher of SciFi, reader of fantasy, singer of show tunes, and lover of her husband! She uses her blog, Enduring All Things to help couples build a marriage that will endure whatever comes their way.

Finally, the Link Up: