Beloved

He remembered the first time he saw her.  He knew who she was.  He knew what she had done.  He knew where she'd been.  He knew with whom.  He knew her fears.  He wanted to hear about her hopes.  He wanted to make her dreams come true.  He wanted her to be unafraid.  He knew where she thought she fell short.  He saw so much more in her than that.  He wanted her to see herself the way he saw her.  He didn't wince at her words.  He didn't cower when she screamed.  He didn't shout back.  He didn't walk away when she cried.  He didn't care about the smeared eyeliner, the dirty tissue, the stuttering, the mess, the mistakes.   (Did she know how she made him smile, how she made him laugh?  Did she know all the crazy, crazy things his heart did around her, for her?)   He didn't play games.  He didn't keep score.  He didn't wish for more.  He didn't wish for less.  He didn't regret.  He didn't give in when she threatened.  He didn't give up when she did.

He didn't turn around when she dared him to go.

She was running away.  She told him to f*ck off.  She told him she didn't care, that she never did.  She wanted to hurt him.  She wanted to push him so far over the edge that she could say, "I told you so."  She was with somebody.  She was with somebody else.  She was with anybody who could make her forget.

He didn't turn around.  He didn't walk away.  He told her he would fight for her - not because it was the right thing to do, not because that's what she wanted, not because he saw it in movie, not because he didn't have a choice, not because there weren't others, not because it was a habit, not because she was a last resort, not because it was a game, not because he was a pawn, an idiot, a toy, a fool, not because he was weak.

He will fight.  Because He loved her.  Because He still does.  Because she is worth it.

Carpe Diem, Ladies. Carpe the Freakin' Diem.

It's that time of the year again, folks.

Seven days left.  Seven of what could possibly be the longest and most dreadful, panicked, angst-ridden, sob story days of this month that not only falls short on days but also on the fulfillment of high hopes for that ring, that bling, that elusive thing which makes us sigh and scream....

"Where is my freakin' valentine?!?"

Fellas, this may not be the cry of your heart, particularly after a weekend of German beer, American BBQ and Mexican salsa. And, frankly, that may be the closest you ever come to exotic pleasure.  

So this message is dedicated to my fellow females.  Sponsored by overworked and underpaid cupids who are sick and tired of staring at people's butts and failed romances. 

Valentine's Day is no longer for the committed, the seeking, the hungry and the serial daters.  Ladies, trust me when I say that this blessed day is, hands down, the best day to spend with that particular class of society that tends to be neglected, underappreciated, overlooked and misunderstood: your HOT, SINGLE GIRLFRIENDS.

That's right, ladies.  Valentine's Day is the day to officiate Ladies' Night Out.  Never had one?  It's time to start.  Think it's a lame last resort?  My dear, you simply don't know what you don't know.  ("Huh?"  My point, exactly.)  A Ladies' Night Out on Valentine's Day (or the weekend before, should it fall on a weekday) is the best freakin' excuse to doll-up and pig-out.  Who else will tell you that you look beautiful and mean it?  Who else is going to tell you that you look dang hot without wagging their tongue and tail at the next hottie that walks by?  Who else will allow you pick your wedgies, burp rudely after meals, pick the food off someone else's plate, laugh like a hyena on nitrous oxide and be as indecisive as you damn well please?  Who else will allow you to take 2+ hours to get ready and join in the festivities?  And, should the need arise, who else will understand your gripes and groans about Valentine's Day?

I write this not to flip a middle finger at February 14th.  I'm sure Valentine's Day already has more than enough hate mail coming its way.  I write this because, ladies - this may be one of the last Kodak moments you can create and share with your lovely girlfriends.  Let's face it.  Most of us are getting to that age where it seems like every-freakin'-body is either dating, engaged or married.  And as we approach that reality, the nature of our treasured and beloved friendships will inevitably change.  That's not to say that your friends are going to say, "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!" once they find a significant other.  But the fact is, when people enter into relationships, their focus, priorities, availability and responsibilities change.  And how and when you get to spend some quality time with your girls will change, too.

So go ahead and grab that cute top on sale.  (Hell- grab it even if it's not!)   Grab your trusty camera.  Call-up your crew.  Order in or get ready to head on out.  Strap on those heels and walk with that switch that makes men itch.  Bust out the champagne and the chick flicks.  Turn up that music in the car 'cuz that is your song, girl!  Seize this moment.  Because you've got more valentines than you can count and it is going to be the best dang Valentine's Day you and your girls have ever had.

God, I love being a woman.