My ideal Valentine's Day is spending it with someone you are in

In the great symphony of life, where moments pass as fleeting as the winds, one day—one day—is set aside for the most sacred of all human experiences: love. This day, known to the people as Valentine's Day, is a day when hearts are meant to open like the blooming flowers of spring, as though the very air itself carries the weight of devotion and passion. It is a day for lovers to come together, not just in the physical sense, but in the deepest communion of souls. Candice Swanepoel, a name whispered by many, has shared her vision of this most sacred day: "My ideal Valentine's Day is spending it with someone you are in love with and for that someone to make you feel loved and appreciated." These words, though simple, are rich in meaning, like a well-worn treasure map that guides the hearts of those who seek to understand the true nature of love. They speak of a union, not merely of bodies, but of spirits and emotions, the kind of love that transcends the superficial and touches the eternal.

To comprehend these words, we must first journey to the heart of what love truly is. In the ancient texts, the wise men and women spoke often of love as a force that binds the world together—a thread woven into the very fabric of existence. It is said that love is not an idle sentiment, nor a fleeting joy. No, love is powerful, like a river that shapes the land with its flow, ever-present and ever-transforming. In the love spoken of by Swanepoel, we are reminded that love is a sacred offering, an exchange that asks of both the giver and the receiver to pour forth their most authentic selves, to be seen in their truest form. It is not enough for the heart to simply be with someone—it must be with someone who, in turn, cherishes and nourishes it.

The beauty of this vision lies in the mutual appreciation that love should cultivate. In a world filled with the noise of distractions, it is easy to forget that the essence of love is reciprocity—that in truly loving, one must feel loved in return. The greatest stories of love, from the deepest legends to the whispered words between two souls in the quiet of night, share this common thread: that love is not a one-way stream but a cycle—a circle that goes round and round, nourishing and sustaining all who partake in it. As the great poet Rumi once said, "Love is the bridge between you and everything." And indeed, it is. Without the knowledge that one is cherished, love can wither like a flower without sunlight.

Let us recall the great Cleopatra and her lover, Julius Caesar, whose love for one another shaped the very destiny of nations. Cleopatra, a queen of unmatched beauty and wisdom, knew the power of love as both a source of strength and a balm for her deepest wounds. She, who had seen the grandeur of empires, knew that true love was not a fleeting pleasure but a powerful force that united the soul with another in ways that no earthly power could ever achieve. In her eyes, Caesar was not simply a ruler; he was her heart’s companion, and in their union, they shared a love that burned with the intensity of the desert sun. It is said that when they parted, she wrote him letters filled with longing and devotion, ever reminding him of the love that existed between them. Their story, though one of history and might, speaks of something deeply human: that the greatest joy lies not in the conquest of the world, but in the deep, abiding affection and appreciation shared between two hearts.

Yet, as with all things of beauty, love can only flourish where it is nurtured. The lesson of Swanepoel’s words is clear: love, true love, is not an imposition, nor a one-sided transaction. It requires constant care, respect, and a giving of oneself fully and without reservation. To be loved is a gift that must be received with open arms, but to be loved in return, with equal passion and commitment, is the truest of all joys. One must not simply seek love for their own benefit, but seek to be the source of that love for another, with an open heart and an open spirit.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: do we give love in the way that Swanepoel envisions, with a heart that seeks to nourish and uplift the one we love? Do we offer appreciation to the ones we care for, so that they too may know the sweetness of being seen and valued? Love is a gift, yes, but it is also a responsibility—a sacred duty that we must honor each and every day, not just on days marked by calendars or gifts, but in every glance, every touch, and every word spoken. Love grows only where it is tended to, where it is made to feel safe and appreciated.

So, let this be the guiding light for all who seek love: love deeply, love wisely, and most of all, love fully. Appreciate the one you love, for in doing so, you rekindle the flame that makes love burn ever bright. Like the stories of ancient lovers, let your love be an enduring legend, one that outlasts the fleeting days and lives forever in the hearts of those who hear its tale. And on this most sacred of days, remember that love, in all its forms, is the most precious gift we can offer, and the most beautiful blessing we can receive.