Valentines Letter from Camilla

Valentine’s Day may have begun as a Christian feast honouring Saint Valentine, but over time it has become a broader celebration of love and connection. 

So what does Valentine’s Day mean to me? While it’s a gentle reminder to make a romantic gesture or give a thoughtful gift, I believe love is not something reserved for one day a year. Real love is built in the quiet, ordinary moments — the ones that happen every single day.

Love is often spoken about in clichés, and I’ve never quite understood why. It’s one of the most important forces in most people’s lives, and it deserves to be spoken about honestly.

For me, love shows up in simple, intentional ways. I use kind words. I tell my children and my husband every day that I love them, and I tell my friends often too. “I love you” can never be said too much.

I give my time and my attention. After school and work, my phone goes on silent and stays in another room. Being present matters deeply to me — I don’t want to be distracted from the moments that shape my children’s lives. When I’m out at dinner, my phone stays in my bag so I can be fully engaged. Two of my children live abroad, and we speak every day. In that way, I stay close to their everyday lives — the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. I listen to my husband too: his thoughts, his work, his perspective. That shared interest keeps us connected.

I don’t see my girlfriends as often as I’d like. I genuinely enjoy being at home, with my family and my routines — it may sound simple, but it’s what brings me peace. Still, I stay close to my friends through regular calls. Some are brief, some longer, but they keep us woven into each other’s lives, even when we’re not together physically.

Small acts of care are one of my love languages. Bringing my husband a coffee while he works, cooking meals, setting a beautiful table, buying my children their favourite foods — these are things I truly enjoy.
 

I practice gratitude. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I choose to focus my energy on what is good, on what I have, rather than on what’s missing.
 

And I’m kind to myself. I live life on my own terms. I don’t punish myself when things don’t go as planned. I take care of my mental and physical health, and I allow myself softness.

Love, to me, is a daily choice.