Valentimes Day
Valentine’s Day has always been kind of a big holiday in our house. I know it’s traditionally been more of a romantic holiday reserved for cute couples who dress up for each other and sip good wine while dancing to smooth jazz. During dessert, he presents her with a signature blue box and she gasps as she slowly opens it to reveal that gorgeous diamond tennis bracelet she has been pining for all year. This is pretty much the polar opposite of what happens around our house on Valentine’s Day. My husband Nathanael and I run around all week from one store to the next searching for the perfect set of three similar but different stuffed animals. We buy chocolate and candy along the way, maybe some fun socks and other non-sugary items that we can add to the now overflowing basket or heart container or decorative bin that we are building for the kids. At some point, one of us might remember to buy a card for the other person- and if they’re lucky, a bar of good chocolate. We do have times where we celebrate being a couple, and I think it’s wonderful that many people use February 14th to do just that, but Valentine’s Day has become a family affair in our house. In fact, it has been bestowed its own name by the kids- Valentimes.
When Valentimes morning arrives, the kids come downstairs to a table full of pink and red treats and a reminder that no matter how many times we get frustrated at them for tripping over their shoes that they left in the middle of the walkway, we love them unconditionally and always. It’s as meaningful for us as it is for them, and I love that our family tradition includes tangible “I love yous” that make any age kid smile.
We like to celebrate love at Emerald Coast Theatre Company too, and we have a few events in February to do just that. On Valentine’s Day we have an afternoon and evening show of our classic cabaret “Timeless Love.” This is a great date show or gal pal night out and tickets include a sweet or savory “Charcuterie by Shelli” box and a bottle of wine. This event is a fundraiser so it’s a great way to show love to ECTC too.
Our second offering in February is the hilarious comedy “Always a Bridesmaid.” This show is about a group of women who promise to show up for each other’s weddings- no matter how many trips down the aisle they take! The love that these women have for each other and the way they show up for each other is the kind of love and friendship we all want to have in our own lives.
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, Valentimes, or Galentine’s Day, I hope you share a part of your February with us, because the (pink and red) heart of ECTC is you.
