Dear Valentine,

It’s been a long road to this point.

Before now Valentine’s Day was another excuse for you to celebrate the love you once shared with someone else. You may not have been the happiest person but you certainly were someone who loved and was also loved.

2 years on and you have come a long way. You’ve learnt so many lessons, lessons that will shape the course of your life for the better. You still have so much to learn but if there is anything I want you to hold on to, it is to never compromise on your happiness.

It’s easy to get caught up in this season and reminisce on the things that once were. Reminisce on the adventure, the surprise, the love. But you have seen first hand that if you have all of these things but do not have the happiness that comes from true joy, you’ll never be fulfilled. It will never be enough.

Even though you don’t always know it, your smile is priceless and it truly does light up the room. Anything that could potentially make you lose your smile, is not worth the pain it will eventually bring. Don’t allow the pressures of your flesh, those around you and of course social media determine what doors you open and what doors you close.

There are so many things I could say to you right now, for example I’m proud of the woman you are becoming. But the one thing I want you to know is that your light was made to shine bright. There was a time that they thought your candle would never light up again. But your flame is one that can never be extinguished.

So my love enjoy this day and the many gifts this season brings you. The gift of finding your happiness is a reminder that if you do it right, this season will bring you so many more treasures.

So happy Valentine’s Day to the woman I’ve grown to love again! The person who encourages herself and others when times get tough and reminds herself that this too shall pass!

Happy Valentine’s Day to me from me.

P.s.. I wrote this post as a reminder to myself and to encourage you never to settle. Settling is only a choice once we make it an option. There are many things you may compromise in a relationship e.g. a few inches in his height, the size of her bum.. but there is one thing you should never compromise and that is your happiness.

Proverbs 3:5-6