Let me see…how do I want to approach Valentine’s Day this year…maybe I will take a walk back into my personal history to reflect on how it has changed over my life.

As a child, I can’t remember Valentine’s. The way children now give each other little cards and candy hearts, we did not have that. I don’t even remember my parent’s celebrating Valentine’s.

As a teen, of course, I began to notice Valentine’s, and sadly what I noticed, is that I didn’t get any. No tremendous amorous activity in my life existed. Thinking about this now is very bittersweet because I felt so alone - I somehow didn’t fit in, but now realize there might have been more of me, more Jessicas, out there than people care to admit.

In my twenties, I began to feel anxious about Valentine’s. I had started dating and I really hoped that the lucky fella in my life would have the sense to make Valentine’s super special…guess what? Most of the time I was disappointed because my expectations were way too high.

Then, marriage. Actually…Bill, played his cards right the first Valentine’s…we had just met. He was off sailing and I thought he would not remember. Wrong. He did and sent me the most divine red roses (even though I actually don’t really like red roses.) The second Valentine’s however was a warning to Bill to never forget it, ever, as in ever again.

The second Valentine’s we were already married and happened to be in Sidney, Australia. Staying at the Westin, I awoke thinking OMG, I am going to be so surprised, I just knew I would…NOT so. Bill had forgotten. WHAAAAAAH!!!!! Now, if you know me, you know what I don’t hold things in, so I went off on a world-class tirade. Poor man, he went downstairs and after an hour came back with a beautiful vintage watch. He never forgot Valentine’s again.

We have been married for 21 years. Valentines have come and gone. Some were grand affairs; some were sweet tokens of love.

Today, my view on Valentine’s is of gratitude. I am so grateful that I married the perfect man for me. Every day in my life is Valentines, I no longer need to wait for that once-a-year date…although Bill, if you are reading this: I still want to celebrate that special day, and yes, I do want a little something in a little box.