What cause, you may rightly ask, does a twice-divorced woman who is not in a relationship; a woman who as a child never, ever won first place in a Valentine’s Day box decorating contest; what cause does that woman have to enjoy Valentine’s Day?

After black, red is my favorite color. Maybe that is why I love Valentine’s Day – why, single or in a relationship I have always celebrated. It’s not expensive like Christmas – unless you are expecting diamonds. It is home grown, self-crafted, and red. I have heard it has a history – something about forbidden lovers, a little like A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. More importantly, it has a history for me. Memories of heart-shaped sugar cookies sweeten my childhood. Memories of heart shaped boxes of chocolates given to my grandma or my mom and shared with me. Bouquets of roses for the brief years I was pursued. Memories of red and pink and purple saccharine-sweet stuffed animals given to my own children to celebrate the day – a way to say I Love You! In so many ways.

My husband of 10 years found yet another way to tell me he loved me. “I still love you and want the best for you. This relationship is over. Go have a good time in Washington D.C. Don’t scruple to find someone else.” It was mid-July. He had served me divorce papers the week before. Happily for me I was at a book convention with my favorite cousin – the one who had always been a twin sister to me. We visited Georgetown on a rare free afternoon. We learned the proper way to say crepes and to enjoy eating them. I stepped inside an impeccable little gift store and lost my heart. It was all hearts. Everything imaginable with hearts. I was smitten and knew immediately how I would support myself in the coming months of singleness. I would transplant this idea of a gift store with all hearts to my hometown. But I would add music. Heartsong – it would be all love and music. (You can read the fictional account here…)

Heartsong was launched and feted and failed and resuscitated and dead and buried in the space of twelve months. Have I ever recovered completely? One thing I do know is the music, the music plays on. And the love? Love has never left me. Furthermore:

“The piano is not firewood yet…everyone knows you’re going to love…but there’s still no cure for crying.”

Friends, I hope you have a fabulous Valentine’s Day!