Yes, Valentine's Day has passed, but in my family it is just coming up!

Yes coming up.  And yes, I said family.

While lovers and couples go out on a date to celebrate Valentine's Day, as tradition calls it, in my six year old daughter's young mind, a new family tradition is culminating. She knows it is the day of love. A truly special ocassion to be had and celebrated with the ones we truly love. And to her, it is her family. I never knew that Valentine's day made that much impact to her until later that night...

For two working parents that works on different schedules, spending time together, even going out on a date on that heart-filled day was an impossibility. So we do what we needed to do. We adapt to and accept what can't be changed. Just like the fact, that Valentine's day was no different. It just happened to be Valentine's day. Big deal. We'll live without going out on a date. So we went about our usual ways that day. I went to work. Came home. My husband went to work. I spent the rest of the day with my daughter. Pretty simple. So I thought...

Until it was time for her to go to bed. Hubby was of course not home yet. As I tucked her in bed, she began to cry. I was utterly surprised and beyond clueless. What just happened? I wasn't really sure. I prodded her to tell me what was wrong. Slowly, she spoke in between sob and tears and told me that she was very sad. That she was hoping we were going to celebrate Valentine's day together as a family before the day ended but it was not happening! And continued to add that she wish we could spend more time together as a family. That just about crushed my heart and tears started rolling down my cheeks.

I never knew how perceptive she was. At so young an age, I never thought she would have that much grasp or care about the world around her. Much care about a day that we took for granted for so many years now. So yes, it was decided upon that we will start celebrating Valentine's day as a family starting this Sunday. Afterall, Valentine's Day is the day of love. A day of acknowledging and showing how much we love the special people in our lives. 

And yes, it doesn't matter which day it is celebrated. Even after the fact is always acceptable. What about you? What special ocassions do you celebrate as a family besides the usual holidays and events in your lives?

Check ZensibleMama.com For more on Maricris' Zensible journeys in her Geek life +Style.

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