February is almost halfway over and I can’t quite believe it…it seems like yesterday that we were talking tinsel and shopping and reindeer…and now suddenly it’s Valentine’s Day.

I know that some of you think Valentine’s Day is a silly holiday, but why not set aside a day to celebrate love! It doesn’t have to be romantic love and it doesn’t have to be disappointing if you’re not in a romantic relationship. I happen to “love” the idea of Galentine’s Day! It’s such a creative way to celebrate with friends, and let’s face it, our friends play a very important role in our lives and we surely need them as much as we need romantic love with a partner.

When our girls were growing up, most years, I cooked a very special dinner and gave everyone a little Valentine’s Day gift. I have so many fond memories of those evenings…and looking back, we were celebrating being a family on Valentine’s Day.

There have certainly been some heartbreaking years since those sweet days with our girls, but this year, we are going to celebrate! We are celebrating new beginnings and toasting to happy days ahead. I do know that relationships take work and spontaneity and patience and…the list goes on, but it’s so worth it!

I could be totally wrong (probably not!), but it seems that the romantic part of Valentine’s Day appeals much more to the girls than it does to the boys.. Women need the trappings of love in a more obvious way than men… yet we should never deceive ourselves by thinking that men don’t need and don’t desire love… they are just programmed differently (WHY??) . Having said this, I believe that every woman deserves to be spoiled… every day… not only on Valentine’s Day!

If I were going to be indulged and pampered, I would love for it to be with small, romantic gestures, everyday!

I am all for celebrating love… in any way… so whether it’s chocolates and long red roses… champagne and candlelight… a can’t-put-down novel… a special dinner with your girlfriends or family, or the knowledge that you are comfortable and secure in the love of someone very special… celebrating love can only be a great thing. Because…loving and being loved is the greatest gift of all.

I came up with my top 10 romantic movies, just in case you’re staying in tonight and having pizza! This was a hard list to make because there are so many good ones!

My Top Ten Great Romantic Movies

Midnight in Paris - Starring Rachael McAdams and Owen Wilson with Kathy Bates

When Harry Met Sally - Starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal

Breakfast At Tiffany’s - Audrey Hepburn

Chocolat - Starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche

The Mirror Has Two Faces - Starring Barbra Streisand and George Segal

The English Patient - Starring Wilem Defoe and Juliette Binoche

Annie Hall - Starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen

Love Story - Starring Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neil

Dirty Dancing - Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey

The Way We Were - Starring Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand

Happy Valentine’s Day!