February is the time for love. So they say, since Valentine's Day is the special day celebrated during this month. It is somewhat funny, though, because the many people I have talked to say they don't really like Valentine's Day because they do not have a significant other to share it with. Boo-hoo...

I recently was holding a conversation with fellow residents over dinner. Jennie invited us to dinner around Valentine's Day to celebrate friendship. I thought it was a nice gesture to take away from the fact that some of us don't have that special one. The more I thought about it, though, the idea sounded terrific. It was more than a nice gesture.

I think in this busy, fast-paced world we forget to take time out and appreciate the people in our lives -- our close friends and family. Who says you need to have a significant other anyway? Well, sure, it's nice -- all right really nice!?! But it's also really nice to have people we can simply laugh or cry with, celebrate, talk and share ourselves.

I think back to those times when we were little and we would send out Valentines to all the kids in class, even to ones we may not have liked. But it was time set aside to think about that person while we were writing their name down. Happy Valentine!! Of course, now that we are older we can concentrate on the ones who are closest to our heart and celebrate their presence in our lives.

You may have guessed that I don't have a significant other in my life. But, I'm not writing to pacify myself. I truly enjoy taking some time and thinking about how grateful I am for the people in my life. When I really sit down and think about my journey and the people who have crossed my pathway I am in awe and most grateful for my relationships. In all of these relationships I am grateful for the gift of love, a love much greater than all of us put together. Of course, I often forget these people but now it is a good time to remember them around Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and not just in the romantic sense. It is a celebration of our love for others and love given to us. Is this corny or what? Hey, what can I say??? It's Valentine's time.

I think in this life we forget to say thank you, we forget to stop and celebrate the present moment we have with one another. I think we also take advantage of the gifts we are and can be for one another.

I'm so glad Jennie invited me to celebrate my friendships and life. She reminds me that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be hard, sad or a drag. It is actually a very special time to be thankful for the gift of love in our own lives.

Take some time on Valentine's Day or any other day for that matter and slow down ... stop ... breathe deeply -- feel the present moment and think about the people you love and who love you. Go celebrate!!! And hey ... spread the news!!!!!