HANDMAIDENS OF THE LORD

Happy Valentine's Day
10 singles share how they celebrate the "day of love"

I plan to spend this Valentine's Day with my family. I've made valentines for my niece and nephew and am armed with craft supplies to help them make some for their parents. My dear sister has a debilitating degenerative disease and wanted to spend Valentine's Day with me! My plans are to spend the day with her, and then help her get all prettied up to go on a date with her husband that night. Then I'll enjoy pizza and games with the kids. The whole day is about spending time with those you love, not always romantically, but love in all its forms. I find the most fun in giving sweet gifts to friends and family. I love this holiday!
Name withheld

I have quite a few wonderful female friends who happen to be single. Instead of ignoring or dreading Valentine's Day this year, we're going to embrace it. I've sent an e-mail invitation to these women for "Our Big Fat Valentine's Night." The plan is that after work they'll come to my place, where we'll make cookies, eat chocolate and other munchies, and watch a double-feature of chick flicks, including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which conveniently comes out on video/DVD this week. And of course �?no boys allowed!
Jane, Washington

This year on Valentine's Day, I'll be in Guatemala for a short-term mission trip with 20 other people from my church. While there, we'll work on several construction projects, help operate a health clinic (two of our team members are doctors), and stage a few outreach events in one or more of the remote mountain villages. Being single has allowed me the freedom to take a week's vacation from work to help others in need. I've never been out of the country and can think of no better reason to make my first trip.
Robert Newton, Iowa

For years after my husband left, I dreaded Valentine's Day. It always left me feeling rejected and empty, like half of a person. Even though we know God is the ultimate love of our life, sometimes we need a human touch. This year is a double whammy for me: Valentine's Day is near and I still don't have a sweetheart, and I turn 40. But my priorities have changed a great deal over the years. It's not all about me anymore. Now I give out valentines like they're tic-tacs. I call friends and family with mushy wishes, and I smother my children with hearts and candy. The responses I get back are much more fulfilling and longer lasting than that empty box of chocolates and dying bundle of flowers. Now I can hardly wait until Valentine's Day!
Name withheld

My single friend and I are leaving for Italy on Valentine's Day! Not exactly the greatest day to be in an airport, I know, but I don't think my married friends could get away with that one on V-day. Italy here we come!
Name withheld

This year for Valentine's Day, I'm teaming up with Jordan, a 12-year-old girl at church, and we're fixing a romantic dinner for her parents. Then we'll go to another couple's house and fix a romantic dinner for them. After dinner, they'll go out to a movie and we'll stay and baby-sit their one year old. Jordan and I started this ministry a few months ago. We pick a family every month and fix dinner for them, then they go out and we stay to baby-sit. It's a wonderful opportunity to share God's love and to teach others to give of themselves.
Susan

Valentine's Day has been a thorn in my side long enough! Now I send myself flowers, chocolate, or jewelry to celebrate God's love for me. (It also helps me keep things in perspective when most of my married friends say they're lucky just to get a card!)
Michelle, Washington

I was invited to a Valentine's party. Everyone invited was told to bring a platonic single friend of the opposite sex. Sounds like fun!
Name withheld

One year I sent out valentines to my friends, and instead of signing them with my name, I signed them "I love you! Jesus." It was refreshing to show love to others, and it took my focus off of myself and my singleness. Plus it was enjoyable to see and hear my friends' reactions!
Leah

Last year, a few of the single guys in our church got together and decided to do something nice for us single girls. They told us to meet one of the guys at a local bookstore at 7:00 and that we would find out what to do from there. Each guy gave us a clue and a present (chocolates, stuffed animals, and flowers). We ended up going to three different places, and our final destination was our friend's house. We arrived to find a salmon dinner with sparkling cider awaiting us. Not only did they serve us, but they even made the dinner themselves. It was the best Valentine's Day I've ever had, single or dating.
Darcy Moore, California

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