"A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love." ~Max Muller

Valentine's Day as a child always meant exchanging cute pixie cards in a box of 30 for a few dollars.  I addressed one for every student in my class.  Mom always helped as if it were an important school project.

It was exciting when the teacher announced class that it was time to exchange our valentines.  We'd reach inside our desks, grab the cards and hand them out.  I always felt a certain nervousness after I was done.  I'd slowly go back to my desk and sheepishly look through my valentines, wondering whether someone would reveal a new crush.  Would I read a quick note about a new love?  Or would I be rejected by someone who neglected to hand me a Valentine?  Tension and wonder hung heavy in the air.  Those were exciting times.

Since then, I don't get too excited about Valentine's Day, except for the topic of love.  I'm a sucker for romance.

"I love romance.  I'm a sucker for it.  I love it so much.  It's pathetic." ~Drew Barrymore

I agree with the school of thought that Valentine's Day is a vast Hallmark holiday. I think it's a bunch of nonsense to exchange lavish gifts to let someone know you love them.

Love is an emotion of deep affection and personal attachment.  Because of this, I also believe that Valentine's Day is a day that reminds us to stop and tell the people we love how much they mean to us. To celebrate, try this simple recipe: play beautiful and meaningful music, share a lovely meal, open a bottle of fine wine, and savor the company of someone (or people) you love.

"If music be the food of love, play on." ~William Shakespeare

I believe in the power of music and how it can transform the biggest curmudgeon into a Cary Grant.  So in honor of Valentine's Day, I offer you a few pieces that, over the years, brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with love.  I hope you enjoy them (they can be found on YouTube) and also fill your heart with love.

• I wish you a Valentine's Day filled with love, romance, and delicious chocolate!Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash sing Dylan's "Girl From North Country" in this 1969 clip (a bit out of sync). After seeing Silver Linings Playbook twice, I downloaded this song to my iPod.  Lovely.
• Bruce Springsteen singing "Secret Garden" from the movie "Jerry MacGuire."  What is the best line from the movie?  "You complete me."  Sigh.
• The theme from "On Golden Pond" with music by Dave Grusin.  I love this theme song (and the movie).  It reminds me of my love for all of New England (the movie was filmed in New Hampshire) and my love for nature.  Since childhood, I have spent much time playing outdoors in the woods near our house, biking around town with friends, and enjoying our parks and trails.  This music reminds me of those golden years.
• Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto 2nd Movement.  My wedding party walked down the aisle to this piece, which was magical.  Thanks, Amadeus.
• I walked down the aisle, with my parents, at my wedding as the harpist played this poetic Hebrew song, "Erev Shel Shoshanim" (meaning "Evening of Lilies"). A perfect song for a perfect day.
• How can I possibly leave this out? The ultimate Romeo and Juliet song of American Theatre is "Somewhere" from West Side Story (Music by Leonard Bernstein, words by Stephen Sondheim.) Tragic, lilting, romantic.  It doesn't get any better than this.