Whenever I need a little reminder of the goodness in the world, I think about the arrivals gate at the airport. Sure, there's a lot of noise out there, but when you're at an airport, it's hard to miss the love. People hugging, kissing, grinning from ear to ear, running into each other’s arms. Love in every shape and form; romantic, familial, friendships that feel like home.
And isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is really all about?
It’s easy to roll your eyes at February 14th, with its roses that cost a little too much and restaurants that are a little too packed. But at its heart, Valentine’s Day is about something so simple and so beautiful. It’s a moment to pause and remember that love is all around us. As a marriage celebrant, I get a front row seat to witness love in its most raw, unfiltered and deeply personal form.
I see it when a groom’s voice trembles as he vows to love and cherish his partner for a lifetime and how his eyes glisten the first time he sees his bride on their wedding day. I see it in the way a bride’s face lights up when she walks down the aisle, her heart full, as she locks eyes with the person she wants to grow old with. I see it in the quiet, knowing smiles of parents as they watch their child start a new chapter. And in the moments where words can’t even capture the magic of what’s happening - they just feel it.
Love isn’t always grand gestures or picture-perfect moments. It’s the little things; the morning coffee made just right, with a hidden treat at the bottom (because who doesn’t love a Lindt chocolate surprise?). It’s the way one partner reaches for the other’s hand without even thinking. It’s the listening, the support, the laughter that comes even when life gets tough.
So, whether you're celebrating with your person, your friends, your fur babies, or enjoying a cozy solo date, let Valentine’s Day be a sweet reminder. A reminder that love is everywhere - in the arrivals gate at the airport, in wedding vows and in those quiet, tender moments that make life feel full.
Because love actually, is all around.
Happy Valentine’s Day beautiful humans. Love, Priya x
