Ah, Valentine’s Day—the quirky holiday that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions. We all rush around, half-heartedly dismissing it while secretly yearning for that perfect gift. “Valentine’s Day? Who cares?” you might say. Yet, as you watch your friends receive flowers and chocolates, a flicker of jealousy ignites. You end up nudging your partner for a week, leading to a fight, followed by passionate make-up moments and promises to treat each other better.
Here we are again. But this time, I won’t be caught up in that familiar, chaotic routine; my partner is miles away. And guess what? So is my mom. Both of us are left with significant others off exploring the world.
For many, this separation would be an emotional avalanche. But not for me. My father worked in the film industry and was often away during my childhood, leaving me with my mother—one of the strongest, most resilient women I know.
This Valentine’s Day, I’ll be spending it with her. We plan to savor some Chinese food, catch a movie, and dive deep into conversations about life. I might not be able to buy her jewelry like a spouse would, but I wish I could. More than anything, we’ll focus on the essence of love:
The kind of love that blooms when you carry a spirited, curly-haired child inside you until she arrives in a whirlwind of labor that leaves the hospital staff scrambling. You witness her struggles in school, always ready to defend her during parent-teacher conferences, and you encourage her to embrace her passions, even if that means belting out off-key songs.
It’s also the love that inspires a woman to wake up at 4:30 a.m. every day to prepare homemade lunches for her children—something she never had growing up. She has faced her share of challenges, and even as a child, I tried to grasp the bits I could. She goes off to work while I head to school, eager to share stories about her career. This love means fierce arguments (because we’re so alike) and profound comfort (because we’re still so alike). It’s the kind of love where you can be your true self, knowing there’s always a home and heart waiting for you.
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms. The love I experience today is rooted in the unconditional affection I received from my parents—love that was vibrant, honest, and full of life. Every year, we honor that first, all-encompassing love, through thick and thin.
I love you, Mom, and I’m not going anywhere. Well, except for Chinese food with you this Saturday night and countless more nights to come.