Galentine's Day

Every year for Valentine's Day my mom used to give my sister and I gifts. We'd come downstairs for breakfast in the morning before school and there would be a little red basket with chocolates and heart-shaped things in varying shades of pink. When I moved out of my parent's house she'd always send me a card or a trinket to celebrate the day.

It was cheesy, and a little weird (seriously, how many mothers give their daughters Valentine's gifts?), but I loved it. One year, because of what I'd learned from my mother, my roommates and I made breakfast for dinner, and I decorated the dining table with all things pink, red and heart-shaped. We had dollar store Valentine's cups, construction paper flowers with heart-shaped petals, and chocolate hearts.

I learned from my mom to celebrate Galentine's Day, without even knowing it. To celebrate the women in my life, apart from boyfriends or husbands. I learned to make a somewhat silly day special, and to embrace the read and pink and hearts because it's fun! I learned to give little gifts in love, especially if the little gifts were chocolate.

This year I'm really missing her. I wish she was here so I could buy her heart-shaped chocolates, or bake her cupcakes with pink frosting. I wish I could give her the pink tulips (her favorite flower) that I found at the grocery store. I wish I could get just one more silly, cheesy Valentine's gift from her, so I could appreciate it that much more.

I love you, mom. Happy Galentine's Day.