“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Is already February, and love is already in the air! Everything is dressed in red, white and pink, Cupid is flying around checking on the lovely couples of the world, and figuring out who his next victims will be. Everyone is getting ready to celebrate their love for someone special in a very a special way. But for marriages, Valentine’s Day is something even more special. It is not just the day to celebrate love and friendship; it is the day to renovate, in front of the world, the vows that were said to each other one day in order to seal a commitment of love. It is a day to celebrate their union, and everything which makes them be, instead of two people, one only soul and self.
We have witnessed how divorce rates have got higher and higher in recent years and how more and more people are getting separated or divorced more recently. And what is worst, no one seems to be excluded or immune from this, even those who seem to be “perfect couples.” In some cases, like Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, divorce seemed like an inevitable think to happen. But in others, like Heidi Klum and Seal, we were all like, why? However, there is no right or wrong answer as to why some couples can be together forever and others can’t. In the same way we are all unique individuals in this world, no relation is like any other. Therefore, there is no recipe to have a perfect relation within them all. The most we can all do is to make the best out of our own relationships focusing on making it last regardless of how and what other couples do. Love is not something to be understood but something to live by and for and what works for you doesn’t have to work for anyone else and vice versa. Love is just that, love. It can be red or pink, but it can also be blue or orange and still be pure and enjoyable love. As long as there is commitment, respect and communication, it can grow, get strong and last forever. Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show what we are made of and how much we care for our loved ones. However, it should not be the only day to do so. Every day of the year should be a Valentine’s Day celebration because every day is a new opportunity to communicate our commitment to love those we most respect in our own special and unique way. However, because February still a special occasion to do so below are some suggestions for the Gainesville community to make this Valentine’s Day 2012 the best Valentine’s Day ever.
If you are planning to take your significant other to a romantic dinner but you still don’t know where Urbanspoonprovides you with a great, detailed and complete list of romantic restaurants around Gainesville, and you can even make your reservation online. However, if you and your loved one are vegetarians or vegans that want to do something different you can celebrate your Valentine’s Day a little early and enjoy A Very Vegan Valentine Dinneron Saturday, February 11, from 6:00p to 9:00p at the Civic Media Center in Gainesville, sponsored by the Student Animal Alliance, which is a UF-based group open to members from the larger community. And, if you and your loved one are not vegetarians nor vegans but still want to want to do something really different this year, you can celebrate this Valentine’s Day 2012 at the Florida Museum of Natural Historywith an Italian dinner accompanied by live music and a moonlit stroll through the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit, on Tuesday February 14, from 7:00p to 9:00p for only $65 per couple for Florida Museum Members and for n on-members, $80 per couple if purchased by Monday, January 30, 2012, or $100 from January 31 through February 10. You can also enjoy of a special Valentine's Day show of artist-made valentines and small art worksto give to your special person for free, at the Sweetwater Print Co-op Art Gallery, on Tuesday February 14, from 12:00p to 8:00p, or of a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Danceat the Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville, also for free and on the same day from 3:00p to 6:00p. In addition, and if you enjoy classic music, the 2012 Jubilus Festivalbegins on February 7th with a series of five different concerts to be held in different areas of Gainesville beginning on February 7th until February 17th.
It is already February. Don’t let one more day go away without telling all your loved ones how much you love them and how much they mean for you. Remember Coelho’s words, when we love we become better and everything around us become better too; and at moments like this we all need some little better. Use your words to create and not to destroy, every word that comes out of you is full of energy and energy attacks energy. Marriage is not a joke; your vow was to be there through thick and thin. So, make this February, and make every day of your life, count; just love!
“Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.” ~ Paulo Coelho
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