Happy Valentine’s Day

Romance entered my life the first time I saw Zorro on TV. I was 4 years old, and I told my mother I was going to marry him. (I didn’t.)

Then I moved on to other TV, movie and music stars – especially Richard Chamberlain, Troy McClure and Paul McCartney. (Once my brother Brian brought me to a tiny music club and I pestered him to leave because I was tired. He found out the next day that minutes after we left Paul McCartney and Billy Joel popped in and did an impromptu set. Brian forgave me eventually.)

In my teens, my valentines became young men who actually existed in my world, which was not easy when you went to an all-girls school. And then there were one or two college boyfriends. And a few boyfriends between then and now. I can’t remember all of them, but my cousins and I laugh until we’re falling over when we help each other remember not just their names, but the stories. This is especially fun after a cocktail or two.

As the decades roll on, my basket of valentines has grown to include little cousins, who call me Auntie Brenda, and that makes me so happy. Cousins my age and older whom I get to call big cousin. My amazing friends.

I realized a long time ago, as I’m sure you did before me, that happiness is not a full-time feeling. But if you have one or two people in your life who make you smile and feel loved, you’re pretty lucky.

From me to you, a heartfelt thank you for reading, and happy valentine’s day to you.

XO Brenda

P.S. the painting was done by my darling late brother Brian