Saint Valentine

Valentine’s Day is sacred.

It's thanks to a Saint from 18 centuries ago that people today give each other chocolates and flowers once a year, but, this isn’t about religion or romance. This is about love.

Pure love. All love. February 14th is a day to feel blessed whether you're in a romantic relationship or not. Say it, "I feel good. I feel blessed. I might just bop my head to some dope jams.” Play all your favourite playlists and feel all the love around you baby, this love will dance with you. It's all yours.

Valentine's Day Playlist '21

It’s not 2009 anymore. A lot is changing these days, in 2021, all around the world. I’m changing in my own world. Romantic relationships used to be at the forefront of my thoughts, but I get it now, I was looking for me. It was self-love I craved so deeply. This world I’m finally in now is a whole new level of wow and I’m excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with me. I think it should be praised as a sacred day. It should not be about couples. It should not make anyone feel lonely or miserable, and hopefully with the changing times February 14th will soon bloom into a day that all people cherish.

1

2009 - Mac Miller

This song means a lot to me. It has a few lines that one might say are romantic but they hold a different meaning in my world. Instead, I hear these words like they’re from me to myself, or a father to a daughter.

With these songs I can carry you home

I'm right here when you're scared and alone

- Mac Miller

2

Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

It's pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd—just to get that out of the way because it's a little confusing, I know. This song is a total gem. I'd like to dedicate it to all the free birds out there today, flying alone. Fly high and look for all the beauty in having you. It's there. Then breathe it in my friend. Be here.

You are not alone and today is about love. Maybe it’s not this song for you but another one you find love in, find you in... and that's the song you got to listen to right now. Stop reading. These words come after you. Listen to that one song and come back whenever, or never, whatever really.

Happy Valentine's Day.

I must be traveling on now

There's too many places I've got to see

- Lynyrd Skynyrd

3

Curls - Madison Watkins

Okay, I only have a few baby curls, but this song makes me feel like I've got a whole head of curls like Madison and my mother. Either way, this one is for all the girls on V-Day. Curly, straight, no hair—you're a queen.

Every time you think you need a man, girl nah, c’mon you just needa dance

- Madison Watkins

One way to love yourself is to move your body. Get up and dance even if you'd never call yourself a dancer. It's the movement. First it makes our body happy and then our mood naturally follows. That's self-love.

Get up and dance!

4

The Bare Necessities

"YEAH MAN." That's how I'm feeling this Valentine's Day. Bare minimum is enough. Gratitude is my favourite attitude, and man, I’m beyond thankful for music—one of the greatest creations our world has conceived.

Now when you pick a pawpaw

Or a prickly pear

And you prick a raw paw

Next time beware

Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw

When you pick a pear

Try to use the claw

But you don't need to use the claw

When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw

- Terry Gilkyson

Now try saying that ten times super fast.

5

I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack

You might not have someone to dance with today but I hope you dance.

If you want to dance with somebody who loves you, try dancing with you. Give yourself a chance even if you think you don't love yourself.

I made a promise to myself better. I promised to make me laugh, and I did. I danced. Change is day by day. Patience. This Valentine's Day I am going to do something entirely new.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

- Lee Ann Womack

6

I Want To Know What Love Is

Yes, it’s a love song. I dedicate every single word of it to myself. A switch flipped inside my head one day, where typical love songs stopped being all about other people and instead about myself. I began hearing my own inner voice very intimately, like I was trying to reach me after all those years of running from myself. This switch changed so many songs for me... hard to explain, but it’s all-consuming. “I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. I know you can show me.” Day by day, I figured out how to do that— show her, me, love. It doesn’t happen over night but it happens. You need to want it to happen. You need to commit to the happening. Change is born when choice and commitment make love, and then you have a child to raise. It requires effort.

Now this mountain I must climb

Feels like a world upon my shoulders

Through the clouds I see love shine

It keeps me warm as life grows colder

All love.

Pure love, only love.

7

Hit The Ground - Lizz Wright

This song is like wine and a nice dinner. I wish to sing it to my 18-year-old self as she is heartbroken right now. Hit the ground baby, it’s alright now. She is going to figure that out one day. See your eyes in mine, leave the rest behind. Hit the ground baby, cause I want to love you now. I know somewhere deep down, she hears me singing to her.

Past, present, future; these are three words for now— it all happens now.

8

Read All About It - Emeli Sande

Read All About It would make me cry as a little girl because I thought I was going to be anxious and shy my entire life. Truly, she didn’t believe she could ever find the courage to use her voice. Well, this voice is ours now.

You,

I hope you know, today is about you. I hope you dance.

Je t'aime.

Love,

Valentine's Day