Relationships, Valentine's Day, and the Question of Love

 

Valentine’s Day has a way of shining a bright light on relationships. Hearts appear in store windows, social feeds fill with roses and declarations, and the word love becomes unavoidable. For some, this day feels tender and affirming. For others, it can stir grief, loneliness, or a quiet sense of disconnection.

In times of life transition, Valentine’s Day often presses a deeper question to the surface: Who walks with me now?

Transitions change our relationships. Some people remain steady companions. Others drift away—not always out of conflict, but because seasons shift. Roles change. Capacity changes. Sometimes we change.

You may find yourself asking:

·       Who do I reach for now when things feel heavy?

·       Who truly sees me in this season?

·       Who feels safe to walk alongside the version of me that is still becoming?

These are not shallow questions. They are honest ones.

Love shows up in many forms, especially in transitions:

·       A friend who listens without trying to fix.

·       A family member who stays present even when they don’t fully understand.

·       A community that welcomes you as you are, not as you used to be.

·       A quieter, growing compassion toward yourself.

Sometimes Valentine’s Day invites us to grieve what is no longer here—a relationship that ended, a friendship that faded, a version of life we thought would last longer. That grief deserves space. Love matters enough to mourn.

And sometimes this day invites us to notice what is here. The people who have stayed. The relationships that have deepened. The unexpected companions who have entered your life at just the right time.

There is also an important, often overlooked relationship to consider: How are you walking with yourself right now?

In transitions, we are learning new terrain. Offering ourselves patience, gentleness, and honesty is an act of love. You don’t need to have everything figured out to be worthy of companionship—by others or by yourself.

This Valentine’s Day, instead of measuring love by what’s missing, you might gently reflect:

·       Who is walking with me in this season?

·       Where do I feel supported, even in small ways?

·       How am I learning to walk with myself more kindly?

Love matters—not because it is perfect or predictable, but because it sustains us as we cross from one season into another.

You do not walk alone. Even when the path feels uncertain, there are companions—some beside you, some within you—helping you take the next faithful step.

And that, too, is love. 💗