Presence Over Presents.

As I sat down this morning and read today’s fortune, I looked over at our cat and said, “That’s a nice thought isn’t it, Bunny?” She slowly closed her eyes and I’m pretty sure she smiled back at me. It’s hard sometimes to tell if she is agreeing with me or taking another nap. Either way, it's a comforting thought knowing that every day of your life is another chance to give love. 

The ways we can show love are limitless. I know, because I just asked Google about it. Love is way bigger than we realize, and more athletic too. As Maya Angelou once said, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” It touches our lives in countless ways and can fill every corner of our world. Always available, love is just waiting to be shared.

While Hallmark may have given love its own holiday, it’s something we can express every day through simple words and actions. Saying “I love you” is an obvious example, but it can also be as simple as offering a kind compliment or sharing a few encouraging words when someone’s going through a tough time. A big hug, a nice gift, running some errands, or checking off an item on someone else’s to-do list are a few ways we can show love by putting in the effort to make their day a little brighter.

While there are many things we can say and do to show our love, there’s one undeniable way to prove it. Even in grand gestures, expensive gifts, and elaborate displays of affection, it is the act of showing up, being present, and being there consistently that transforms mere words and gestures into something real. This is how love can be proven.

In a world full of distractions and constant demands, setting aside all the things we could say or buy, just offering someone your undivided attention truly shows them they matter. Whether it's sitting quietly together, actively listening, or simply being there when needed, your presence strengthens the love you share. It’s a small but meaningful way to show love, just as today’s fortune says, “Love is a present that can be given every single day you live.”