In Lisa's Spin, her new regular blog on wtatour.com, Lisa Raymond brings us her thoughts on tennis, life and more. Here's the latest installment...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Rose are red,
Violets are blue,
Cupid's big day is upon us,
Hopefully the one celebrating is you...
I figured since today is nicknamed "The Hallmark Holiday" why not start my blog off with a poem. Shakespeare it's not, maybe a little cheesy but it rhymes and to me, that equates poetry.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!
Today more than any other day of the year people are waking up on either the right or the very wrong side of the bed. Amazing to me how strongly people feel about Valentine's Day. They either love it or hate it. Very few are on the fence. Usually how one feels about the holiday is dependent upon their relationship status. Just check out your friend's Facebook page and you will probably get a good indication as to what kind of mood they will be in today. Ask this hopeless romantic and I'll say what's not to love? A specific day of the year to express how you feel about someone? Genius!! Yet my reason for loving the holiday is also why I have a little problem with it. Why should you only be encouraged to do this once a year? Why shouldn't every day be a Valentine's Day?
I am not saying you have to stand outside someone's bedroom window holding up a boombox everyday (I have to stop with my Lloyd Dobbler references I know) but what about the small things? Small gestures that can show them every day how much you care. Cook them their favorite meal (for the culinary challenged such as myself have it delivered). Pick up their favorite flowers, do the dishes or make the bed, walk the dog, run them a bath, pick up the dry cleaning, go buy their favorite candy or snack and surprise them with it, and so on. You get the gist. One can and should do small gestures every day to let someone know you love them. Besides, it seems now Valentine's Day isn't just about giving to your significant other. You walk in a Hallmark store and there are countless rows of cards for relatives, friends, teachers, even dogs! I for one have drank the Kool-Aid and bought into it, literally. I got my nieces toys for Valentine's Day this year and didn't even think twice about it. I sent family and friends a little something in the mail just to let them all know what they mean to me. I guess the good news is that this doesn't make anyone feel excluded - that this holiday isn't just about showing your partner how much you care, it's anyone you love, which is nice. Having said that, we shouldn't need a cupid hitting us with an arrow to remind us to afford someone special how much we care. What if he misses?
Speaking of special, I made myself feel VERY special yesterday afternoon - a few diamonds worth special :-) Sam and I went to the Gold Souk and let me tell you, this place makes 47th street in Manhattan look like a swap meet. Gold and diamonds everywhere you looked. Street after street, shop after shop, filled with every piece of jewelry you can imagine. The prices are great and honestly, who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon buying diamonds! Happy Valentine's Day to me!!
Speaking of Sam, we had our first win together earlier today. It was fun being back on the court with her - as they say, like riding a bike :-) We were first on at noon, finished by 1:15 and after some fitness and lunch, the afternoon is now mine. Maybe sit by the pool, maybe go to the spa, whatever I end up doing it will be a treat. Spoiling myself is something I have become an expert at, right behind people watching and '80s trivia. So far this Valentine's Day has been very good to this hopeless romantic and I have a feeling, its only the beginning :-)
Couldn't help myself with these...
My Top 5 Love Songs
1: Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
2: She's Got a Way - Billy Joel
3: My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
4: Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
5: Breathing - Lifehouse
My Top 5 Romantic Movies/Love Stories
1: The Notebook
2: Titanic
3: Pretty Woman
4: When Harry Met Sally
5: Sleepless in Seattle
