We’re halfway to St. Valentine’s Day, a celebration inaugurated to honor a Third-Century Christian. We’ll have more on that story Friday. Today, however, we simply want to remind everyone that there’s no better time to spread a little love and happiness. The Feast of Saint Valentine is not just for married couples or people who are dating. In fact, the holiday didn’t become associated with romantic love until the High Middle Ages (around the 12th Century) when the bawdy storyteller Geoffrey Chaucer popularized the notion. So, feel free to spread some good cheer among your friends and coworkers. Yes, even if you’re not particularly 
crazy about a few of them. Don’t have coworkers? Then hug your pooch! Don’t have a pooch? Then hug your neighbor’s pooch. Your neighbor doesn’t have a pooch? Then hug your neighbor. No, wait! That might not be the best advice!
Guys, remember that nothing says “I care” quite like flowers. There’s still time to order or grab some from the nearest market. Don’t wait until Saturday morning to arrange things for Saturday night. And if you don’t have enough coin for roses, you can usually find a small, mixed flower “Fun Bunch” at most grocers. Ahem, cards are nice, too.
Ladies, after you finish agreeing with us, please remind yourselves that gift giving is not gender specific. Some ideas: prepare a special meal or dessert; or pick up a little token that let’s him know you appreciate him — like a new pair of socks. (You know, something he can drop on the floor when he pulls them off.)
Make it a point to do something nice for the people you care about and/or appreciate. Help bring a smile to their faces. Make someone happy!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (— Maya Angelou, American author, poet, singer and actress, 1928-2014)
Feeling down? Get outdoors and enjoy God’s creation. Go for a walk in the park or on the beach. Find a nature trail. Take in a sunset (or a sunrise)! “A walk a day keeps the gloomies away!” (— Norman Vincent Peale)