Ah, that quirky holiday we all rush around for, simultaneously scoffing at it and secretly wishing for gifts. “Valentine’s Day? Who cares?” you might say. “It’s just another commercialized occasion.” Yet, you find yourself yearning for even a small token of affection while you watch your friends revel in their bouquets and boxes of chocolates. Then, after a week-long dance of emotions, you end up in a spat, followed by some passionate make-up time, vowing to be kinder to one another.
Here we are again, facing Valentine’s Day. This time, however, I won’t be caught up in that frenetic emotional whirlwind; my partner is off exploring distant lands. Coincidentally, my mother’s partner is away too. Both of us are left to navigate this day without our significant others.
For many, this would be an emotional rollercoaster, but not for me. Growing up, my father worked in the film industry, often away on location, leaving me in the capable hands of my mother, a truly remarkable and independent woman.
This Valentine’s Day, I’ll be spending it with her. We plan to indulge in Chinese food, catch a movie, and have deep conversations about life. While I can’t afford to gift her jewelry like a partner might, I wish I could. Most importantly, we’ll delve into the essence of true, profound love:
The kind of love that grows as you nurture a spirited, curly-haired child. You carry that child inside you for nine months until she arrives in a whirlwind of labor and chaos, leaving even the hospital staff scrambling. You witness her struggles in school, her mischief at every turn, and attend parent-teacher conferences ready to defend her. It’s the kind of love that allows you to encourage her to sing her heart out, knowing that your love remains steadfast.
Moreover, it’s the love that drives a woman to rise at 4:30 a.m. to prepare fresh lunches for her three children, a luxury she didn’t have in her own childhood. She’s faced her share of challenges, and as a child, you grasp what you can of her journey. While she heads to work, you go to school, proudly sharing stories about your mom’s career. It’s a love that brings about intense arguments (because you’re so alike) and immense comfort (for the same reason). It’s the kind of love that lets you be your authentic self, knowing you have a safe haven in each other’s hearts.
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and the love I cherish today stems from witnessing the genuine affection between my parents. Each year, as we observe this holiday, we honor that first, unconditional love—the love that endures through thick and thin, in sickness and health.
I love you, Mom, and I’m here to stay. This Saturday night, it’ll just be you and me over Chinese food, and many more nights to follow.
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In summary, Valentine’s Day is more than just a holiday; it’s a reminder of the foundational love we receive from our families, shaping our understanding of love for a lifetime.
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