Embracing Love (and chocolate) in February!

February can be a lot. For those of us in the Midwest, it’s really just an extension of January! And then you throw Valentine’s Day into the middle of the month!

Every year, February shows up and our hormones and hearts—plus outrageous marketing—fill our female brains with all kinds of unrealistic expectations.

Whether you are in a long-term relationship or marriage, widowed, divorced, single-by-circumstance, or single-by-choice, those unrealistic expectations can feel like… a lot.

For many of us, February isn’t about candlelight dinners, coordinated outfits, flowers, or even chocolate! It’s about complicated feelings, quiet moments, and learning how to live—and embrace love—exactly as it exists right now.

Embracing Love Doesn’t Mean Forcing Anything

Or, to use my boyfriend’s words, "Don't overthink things.” 

He is 100% right. My rational brain totally knows that—but February isn’t rational brain month!

It’s time to think differently about what embracing love actually looks like. It can be:

• Letting yourself enjoy something without guilt

• Saying yes to rest

• Allowing laughter to surprise you

• Choosing the good chocolate, because YOU deserve it

Love doesn’t have to arrive with flowers to be real.
And it doesn’t have to look like it used to in order to matter.

When Love Changes Shape

My own grief and loss have caused me to love harder—and deeper. Sometimes, for those closest to me, I’m sure it almost feels overwhelming.

For those in long-term relationships or marriages, love changes shape too. It often becomes more comfortable instead of exciting.

At Grief & Joy, we believe love is not something you lose—it’s something that evolves. And it’s something we get the opportunity to embrace, as long as we let ourselves.

Romantic Love Is Optional (Still, Love Counts)

February works hard to convince us that romantic love is the main event.

But embracing love can also look like:

• Deep friendships. I have the most amazing tribe in my life. I honestly would be lost without them.
• Chosen family. Whether they’re your actual family or the family you choose because they bring you joy, love, and support.
• A pet who understands everything without words. This is my dog, Tucker. He brings me so much joy and gives me so much unconditional love.
• A relationship with yourself that’s gentler than it used to be.
  This one means so much to me. After losing my husband, Todd, life shifted. Things I once thought were incredibly important—like work—are now more of a means to an end. I try to give myself grace while still challenging myself to grow, embrace life, love, and laughter.

If romantic love returns to your life, beautiful.
If it doesn’t—your life is not lacking.

Love—and therefore life—is not measured by relationship status.

Let February Be What It Is

Maybe this February isn’t about grand gestures. Last Valentine’s Day, Ben and I ended up—at the last minute—going to a tiny restaurant in a nearby town, then playing darts and video games at the bar. It was a perfect evening filled with love and laughter. I asked him this weekend if we can do that again this year because I loved it so much!

Maybe we can make February about:

• Softening instead of striving. Embracing who you are and accepting those you love for who they are.

• Remembering you’re allowed to want joy and chocolate. Life is short. It’s about balance. Eat the chocolate!

• Letting love exist without needing to define it—or label it. This one can be hard. We live in a society that loves labels!

February doesn’t get to dictate how love shows up in your life.

You get to embrace it—quietly, imperfectly, and on your own terms.

And that, in itself, is an act of love.

✨ Stay connected with Grief & Joy
Follow along for honest conversations, gentle humor, and reminders that life is all about grief and joy.

Shop Grief & Joy
Enjoying our content? You may also enjoy our fun and quirky Grief & Joy products!