What's Love Got to Do With It?
Feb 14, 2026 5:01 am
It's February 14th, Honeys!
If you're anything like me, you want to know where this "holiday", this celebration of Valentine';s Day originated. More on that in a bit, but first ... today is an exciting day, as you all know.
It's RELEASE DAY for both LOVE WINS and 52 LOVE!
Thankl you ALL so much for your support. To everyone who pre-ordered, blessings on you! To everyone who took an ARC, our thanks. If you're still interested in receiving an ARC, follow this link:
Now, back to Valentine's Day origins. I won't yuck your yum by giving you all the details. The long and the short of it is that February 14 was the date on which St. Valentine was martyred for his refusal to denounce his faith. Legend has it that before his death, he sent a message to the daughter of a Roman, whom he had healed, signing it "From your Valentine".
That's a bittersweet story, but a wonderful message of love. It speaks to the idea that love may be sacrificial, but it is also fearless. And as I think about the love stories I've read over these many decades, one of the many that has stayed with me isn't even a novella. It's a short story by O. Henry.
Y'all know which one I'm talking about, don't you? It's "The Gift of the Magi", that classic Christmas story about the husband and wife who each give up the thing they love the most to purchase the thing they know the other wants the most. It's not just about romance ... it's about LOVE.
It's sacrificial, it's bold, it's fearless. And do you remember the irony? Therein also lies a lesson to be learned about the nature of love ... it's not about what you give, it's about how you love.
Never read it? Here's a link to an ebook copy, as well as the paperback version. You can also listen to it or watch the movie. Just visit your friendly Google search bar to find the option that suits you best.
Remember that Jackson 5 Christmas song ... "Give Love On Christmas Day"? This short story makes that crystal clear. What mattered when O. Henry wrote it, and what still matters today, and every day, is the love. Not the flowers or the chocolates, not the expensive jewelry or the fancy dinner. It's love that matters. Another group, The Beatles, said it best: "All you need is love."
Remember to click on the links in blue, and have a wonderful Valentine's Day, Honeys!
À bientôt,
KT
