I LOVE.........

I don't have a Valentine this year. Nope, not a single one. It is a bit depressing but seriously Valentine's Day is a just a commercialized holiday created by retailers to make money, etc.....

Actually ignore the last sentence. I know that Valentine's Day is a commercialized holiday and I know that I would like to find someone who showed me love and romance every day of the year and not just on one Hallmark day. But with that said, I am a romantic. And I am not talking about just liking Valentine's Day. I am an over-the-top, fall over heels, hopeless romantic. Truthfully, I really don't know why because past experience really hasn't given me much confidence that romance is anything more than wishful thinking that is sold in the form of chocolate and chick-flicks. However, I really can't help it. I love romantic gestures and I love the whole idea of falling and staying in love. I think Jane Austen said it best, "A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of"

Regardless, I still don't have a Valentine but I don't want to be ungrateful for all the wonderful things in my life. If Valentine's Day is about love, then I will share with you 36 things that I love (in no particular order).

1. My family including all of my cute nieces and nephews
2. Good friends who love me for me
3. Western sunsets
4. Hugs & Kisses (see hopeless romantic above)
5. Pedicures
6. Surprises (good surprises)
7. Packages in the mail
8. Sunday naps
9. A good home cooked meal
10. Freshly washed sheets
11. The kindness of others
12. Reading cookbooks and making new recipes
13. Farmer's Markets, Antique Stores, Flea Markets, Goodwill
14. Mill Creek Canyon and the smell of the creek, the trees and a campfire
15. Feeling understood and being able to communicate with someone freely
16. NPR and any good listening options for my commute
17. Chocolate covered cinnamon bears
18. My job, my boss, my work location- I love where I work and who I work for!
19. Landing in the Salt Lake airport
20. A good cry
21. Romantic movies
22. Thunder and lightning storms (If I am safe inside watching)
23. Going to quaint new places and experiencing new things including fun new restaurants
24. Completing projects and being organized (wish this happened more)
25. Hope
26. Amazing technology
27. Pumpkin Pie
28. Good books and the time to read good books
29. My testimony of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life
30. Small, medium and large miracles 
31. Homemade lemonade, limeade, root beer- basically any homemade beverage
32. The East Mill Creek 4th of July Parade
33. Mountains
34. Acupuncture
35. My Birthday
36. Babies