Love Thursday: February 14th, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  

An admission:  historically, I've always rather disliked Valentine's Day, ever since I was a gawky tween, all knees and teeth, and the only person in class who didn't receive a Valentine.  Even now, as someone who is in a happy and loving marriage, Valentine's Day still makes me uneasy:  what's with all the jewelry ads on television?  The pressure to come up with the perfect gift?  The sheer commercialization of love?  I mean, granted, Valentine's Day is sort of a Hallmark Holiday, and it's certainly nice to be the recipient of such things, but is that really the only way to express love?

I say no.  Absolutely not.  As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to celebrate Valentine's Day a little differently this year:   

Today, Valentine's Day, in addition to making sure my husband and daughter know how much they're loved, I'm going to challenge myself commit a random act of love today.  It may not be overwhelming or grandiose; in fact, often the best acts of love aren't.  Perhaps I'll send a note or an e-mail to someone with whom I haven't  spoken in a while, telling them I'm thinking of them.  Or maybe I'll buy a small grocery-store bouquet of flowers and leave them anonymously on someone's doorstep.  Or maybe I'll leave a Love Note to my city in some random location. Who knows?  But I think I want to do something love-ly.  Take Valentine's Day back to what it's all supposed to mean.

 Of course, you can feel free to join me. :)

Anyway, Valentine's Day aside, Happy Love Thursday!   Please leave your links to your images of love in the comments below (and be sure to check out the beautiful work of camera shy momma, iyoyome, and nicky thomas and their depictions of love). 

And most sincerely, may your hearts be FILLED with love today, on this special, Valentine's Love Thursday Day! 

Comments

[Tracey Clark]

It's just so perfect that Valentine's Day landed on a Thursday! The perfect way to take back the holiday! : )
My heart is filled with love to say the least.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maypapers/2264420480/in/pool-shuttersisters

[mel from freak parade]

I think you have a perfect plan for Valentine's Day. Tomorrow the kids and I are going to deliver some Valentine's to some of the people in the local retirement community. Valentine's Day really is a Hallmark holiday, but I don't mind because it usually involves candy. Any holiday with chocolate works for me.

Here is my Love Thursday contribution....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/muckyyuck/2263913205/

[Criri]

happy love thursday day!

p.s. that's a great little rock

http://cristymuranda.blogspot.com/2008/02/love-thursday-1st-edition.html

[stacelet]

Valentines day is a Halmark holiday, but I figure any day that is an excuse to say I Love You and to eat chocolate is a day I'd like to have!
I've been baking... cupcakes, cookies... I love sprinkles and toppings...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacelet/2264706108/

[bleeding espresso]

Gorgeous!

I wrote about the history of the heart as a symbol of love:

http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/02/the-heart-as-a-symbol-of-love.html

Has a surprising story to say the least!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Love Thursday all :)

[melody]

...and love to your heart as well.

Mine is up

http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2008/02/love-rocks.html

[Bipolarlawyercook]

I am joining in for the first time. Here's my contribution! Happy Valentine's Day, I hope you all find some love in the day.

http://bipolarlawyercook.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/one-perfect-rose-love-thursday-and-happy-valentines-day/

[Lois Lane]

i love the concept of a valentine's day to love others.

thanks!

http://loislanelive.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/love-thursday-3/

[nicky thomas]

here's another tasty love post - i hope you like it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2264041728/

and thanks for posting my pic of Cedar and her dad. I'm thrilled that you like it.

nickyx

[Cherrye]

Ahhh, I love the little random act of love. Good luck! I'm glad LT is back.

http://my-bella-vita.blogspot.com/2008/02/its-baaaack-and-i-love-it.html

[birchsprite]

Mine's a bit of a musing one this week...

http://birchsprite.blogspot.com/2008/02/last-weekend.html

Happy Valentines to all!

[shaz]

http://www.adventures-in-motherhood.com/article/comments/love-thursday-the-first/

[Carrien]

Here's my contribution. My battery died today before I had a chance to take the picture I planned, but I'm better with words than with a camera anyhow.

http://shelaughsatthedays.blogspot.com/2008/02/moments-4.html

[janeymay]

i must say, valentine's day with a 3-year-old daughter is pretty darn fun. last week, we made valentine cards together. what a beautifully spent morning. it made me happy and full of love. I couldn't stop snapping pictures of the process...especially those chubby little hands writing love notes to her different family members.

http://www.thisweekfordinner.com/2008/02/happy-heart-day.html

THIS was my favorite shot of the morning...cate (the 3-year-old) directed the composition and it is perfect.

http://www.thisweekfordinner.com/2008/02/cate-and-i-spent-morning-making.html

I LOVE THIS GIRL. that's my love thursday contribution...these pictures do my heart good.

[Jeanine]

I've never been one for Valentine's Day either. But I like where you are going with it this year.

Here's my contribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15607464@N03/2264967494/

[Mrs. Eaves]

Happy Love Thursday, and Valentine's Day, to everyone!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23151594@N07/2264189330/

[Angella]

I love this one of my baby girl and her baby doll.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourcrazylife/2116358233/

Happy Valentine's Day!

[Melody A.]

We really should take back Valentine's Day.Show our children what the day is really about.

http://thehipmommasjournal.squarespace.com/journal/2008/2/14/love-day.html

[Vanessa]

I posted 13 valentines and 4 little heart pics here: http://risingtothechallenge.blogspot.com/2008/02/thursday-thirteen-valentine-edition.html

happy valentine's day :)
Vx

[Secret Agent Mama]

Hi! My name is Mishelle, and I just found Shutter Sisters last night. I was so happy when I did, my heart almost burst. I look forward to being a part of this mix.

My submission for this "love thursday":
<a href="http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2008/02/13/love-thursday/">love is...</a>

[Secret Agent Mama]

http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2008/02/13/love-thursday/

That link didn't work. Sorry. Hope that one does!

[jenny, bloggess]

I'm in:

http://blogs.chron.com/mamadrama/archives/2008/02/happy_valentine.html

http://thebloggess.com/

[Ginna]

I think Valentine's day is fun--a fun excuse to celebrate each other.
What a happy coincidence to have Valentine's day and Love Thursday fall on the same day!

Here's my contribution. I love my little son, he's so cute.
But I need some feedback. I cropped this two different ways and I can't tell which is better. Can youguys look at them and tell me which you like?
Thanks in advance

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnahendricks/2263633093/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnahendricks/2263663373/

[alli]

http://alwaysalli.com/2008/02/14/love-thursday-found-love/

Our Valentine's Day plans include lunch with Daddy downtown. Should be fun!

[Sam D.]

I definitely agree with the conflicted feelings about Valentine's Day. I've always felt slightly uncomfortable with it, and so Rob and I try to celebrate it just by spending time together, rather than going out of our way to one-up each other. I think it's a good compromise. :-)

Happy Love Thursday!

http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/213078.html

[Meg]

Happy Love Thursday :)

http://whimsy.typepad.com/knittens/2008/02/30-days-day-10.html

[Cakes]

Beautiful photo. So glad to be jumping back into the Love Thursday Community! Happy Love Thursday everyone!

http://sometimeswedo.blogspot.com/2008/02/love-thursday.html

[Sarah-Ji]

Karen, thanks for the V-day inspiration! I think I'll leave some Love Notes for unsuspecting folks.

Here's my post for today. Happy Love Day, y'all!
http://www.shutterbugmama.com/2008/02/love-thursday-happy-valentines-day.html

[Mir]

Happy Love Thursday! :)

http://wouldashoulda.com/2008/02/14/love-is-in-the-little-things/

[Lys]

I have 2 for Love Thursday...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lysrian/2265100626/" title="LoveThursday_MyValentine2 by lysrian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2265100626_a3c18fdbbf.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="LoveThursday_MyValentine2" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lysrian/2264307645/" title="LoveThursday_MyValentine by lysrian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2264307645_24689b990b.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt="LoveThursday_MyValentine" /></a>

[Lys]

Sorry about that. Here is the proper post!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2265100626_a3c18fdbbf.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lysrian/2264307645/

[Jessie]

Happy Love Thursday everyone. I have my pic up at http://hunna.blogspot.com

[monsoonaz2]

Happy Valentine's Day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monsoonaz3/2261354581/

[camerashymomma]

wonderful rock! i was wondering what was to become of them (you had a photo of three of them lined up) i love your ideas of valentines, i often try to push this holiday away, but with the arrival of my son's curiosity, i'm learning to put a new twist on the holiday.

thank you for the link to my photo. i'm humbled to be in such good company.
happy valentine's day!
here's a kiss

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2264538768/

[maggie ann.]

happy valentine's day. in this season of love i wish blessings of joy and peace to all.

here is my love thursday:
http://mostsincerely.blogspot.com/2008/02/love-thursday-valentine.html
or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mostsincerely/2263774057/

<3

[Brené Brown]

Love is friends who sit with you under twinkle lights.

Happy Vday/Love Thursday to the Shutter Sisters - your weekly tribute to love is a powerful gift!

http://ordinarycourage.squarespace.com/

[Girl con Queso]

Happy Love Thursday Valentines.

Roses and Red
Violets are Blue
Because it's Valentines
I made an iMix for you!

http://www.thequeso.com

[FireMom]

I'll stick to wishing everyone a Happy Love Thursday because we're all about everyday, routine kinda love.

http://stopdropandblog.com/2008/02/14/love-thursday-the-everyday-routine-kinda-love/

[corey (giggletwig)]

We're not big on Valentine's Day at our house either. We don't do gifts, but we enjoy a special dinner at home, spending time together.

Here's some baby love for this love Thursday/Valentine's Day

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2264979212/

[Leah]

http://lakelinesthoughts.com/?p=583

It also has a bonus video. :)

[Tonya Dreher]

The love between a mother and daughter......aaaaaahhhhhhhh........

wonderblinkblog.wordpress.com

[Tonya Dreher]

ooooops. forgot to make my link HOT!!! Here it is:

http://wonderblinkblog.wordpress.com

[cherryfizzy]

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

here are my two main squeezes...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cherryfizzy/2250042382/

[nikkipolani]

http://nikkipolani.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/love-thursday-she-loves-me-not/

[Charlotte]

here is my contribution to Love Thursday, thank you for such a wonderful idea and the opportunity to think about love and love alone at least once a week!

http://mothernaturesdaughter.blogspot.com

[amy souza]

ah love thursday.
Love......of all kinds.
Important.
Love one another.
peace.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesouzaz59/2263551925/

[Jen]

http://thegloriouslymundane.blogspot.com/2008/02/go-spread-some-lovin-today.html#links

Happy Love Day, everyone!

[Francine]

Happy Love Thursday and Valentine's Day!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raggafran/2264986042/

[Paige]

I took this last Valentine's Day. Here you go!
http://lookaway.typepad.com/look_away/2007/02/true_story.html

[honestyrain (near.daily.visual)]

this is my first time joining in on love thursday and i think it very fitting that it be on valentine's day. happy love day to everyone!

http://honestyrain.com/neardailyvisual/?p=123