This afternoon I stood in line at the post office (to mail off my book to Jennifer) for almost half an hour. Although I'm very grateful for the Valentine's Day cards and well wishes I've received, I'm not thrilled about the holiday. People rush about to get things in the mail, to buy jewelry from Jared or whomever (the bigger the diamond, the more you're loved), to try to "out-do" the other person or the gift from the year before. I just don't understand it. I know this is a common gripe, but it feels good to say it again: We shouldn't need a holiday to show our love. Except for a couple of sexy scratch-off cards (hey, I couldn't resist), I'm not getting Adam anything for Valentine's Day. He's not getting anything for me. We agreed on this after the post office ordeal. But little gifts for each other, out of the blue, unexpectedly? Yes, and those are the best. Like the backrub Adam gave me in the middle of the night last night, the cups of hot chocolate I make him (and the way I make it just cool enough), and the cards we leave each other when we spend weekends apart-----those are the beautiful things.

But. I feel I'm not being completely honest or fair about the issue without saying this: I'll eat Valentine's Day candy any day, and twenty dollars lovingly folded into a card covered in hearts? I am very, very grateful. :)