For Me, On Valentine's Day

I fell in love at age 7.

Plunking at the chipped piano keys singing, “Oh Holy Night”

My Nana‘s bowl of ribbon candy teetered precariously on the shelf.

I fell in love at age 8.

Closing the back cover of Little Women sitting on my steps

Feet dangling

Wondering how many years would have to pass until I could be Jo.

I fell in love the first time I held a microphone in my hand

The first time the spotlight found my body and I wasn’t wondering what imperfections it might be highlighting.

I fell in love at 16 with a boy who wore Birkenstocks And Beatles T-shirts

Who played varsity baseball, but also played guitar

Who had the kindest eyes.

I fell in love with 10 fingers and 10 toes twice over

When they were placed in my arms pink and squealing

And I believed that I would not survive the kind of love that passed between us.

I am still unsure.

I fell in love with lighting a candle every morning when I wake

When the coffee is set to brew before the sun comes up

Before my children’s feet are on the staircase.

I fell in love with the quiet of the morning.

I have spent four decades falling in love with people and things.

It has been a beautiful existence

But incomplete.

So I will spend the next 4 decades

Falling in love with myself.

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What about you?

What have you fallen in love with?

How will you love yourself this year?