An Early Valentine's Day

Recently, I posted a Facebook picture of myself wearing red. "Celebrating Valentine's Day early?" a friend asked.

No, it was National Wear Red Day to raise awareness about heart disease in women. I didn't expound for my friend that I'm a Valentine's Day dropout. I'm single and happy, so I avoid red and hearts, but I refuse to do black on February 14. Bright blue is more my color.

As I pondered my friend's question though, I realized my answer wasn't quite accurate. I'm no good at awareness days. If I really wore red to raise awareness, I would have included that in the caption on my photo. Instead, I wear red because I care. I care for my loved ones who are battling heart disease, and I want them to know I'm standing with them.

Likewise, I observed Wear It Pink for breast cancer awareness for the first time this past October. Few people saw me that day, and I'm not sure any of them knew why I wore pink, but I did it for a special friend who had just been diagnosed. I did it because I carry her in my heart.

Isn't that what love is? It's not mushy feelings or sappy songs. Often it is silent because there are no easy answers, but it is there to carry the burden you can't carry alone.

So I'm reevaluating my Valentine's Day blue. I'll go red and pink this year. Only those of you who have read this blog will know what the colors mean to me, but that's okay. I'll do it anyway because love runs deeper than chocolate and roses.