Welcome to February! I can’t say that I’m sad to see January come and go. It just means that we’re one month closer to spring and the warmer weather that follows. At this point, I’d take a month of rain every day over the massive amounts of snow and record cold temperatures. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t sad to see our first white Christmas in the Kansas City area in 47 years. I loved it—for the first week. The problem was that it never stopped snowing! It never seemed to melt either.

I hope that everyone reading this will have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. For me, Valentine’s Day has changed over the years. When I was growing up in Garden City, Kansas, it was the end of the world to not receive a Valentine from whichever cute boy I liked at the time. I can remember getting those heart candies with the words on them and allocating them to certain classmates. You always had to be careful never to give out an “I Love You” to someone you really didn’t like.

The student council would sell pink heart-shaped Valentines in the morning before school. You could send one to whomever you wanted to. There were about six phrases to choose from, and during the last hour of class was when they were handed out to the recipients. I think I still have some of those Valentines saved somewhere at my parents’ house! These days, I’m sure the kids get text messages from their boyfriends or girlfriends. Forget paper hearts!

After 10 years of marriage, Valentine’s Day seems to end up being just another day. It’s a day filled with rushing kids to their events. It’s a day when I let the kids eat dinner in the living room watching “Sponge Bob Squarepants” so my husband and I can try to enjoy a nice dinner together at home without the usual craziness that seems to take place every night. (Sigh). Whether your Valentine’s Day is dinner out at a restaurant or home with your loved one, take some time and enjoy each other!

Special Notes

Are you looking to find that special something for Valentine’s Day for your loved one? Check out our advertisers’ specials for the month of February!

Visit S-Scents in Hawthorne Plaza for the perfect Valentine’s Day (and night). Join them on Thursday, February 11th for their “Red & White Delights” event, with specials throughout the store, special treats, and surprises. See their ad and additional specials in the Market Place section on page 27.

Irina’s Secret is offering throughout the month of February a Valentine’s special called “Look Pretty for Your Loved One,” where you receive $15 OFF any service. See their ad on page 27 in the Market Place section.

Are you looking for part-time daycare for your children? Do you need someone to watch your kids while you go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day? KID STOP offers “short-term parking for kids!” It is a locally owned and operated fully licensed facility. Throughout the month of February, there is NO enrollment fee, and you receive three hours FREE with the purchase of a prepaid 10-hour card. See their ad on page 29 for more information.

Reflections Body Solutions has moved to their new location in Overland Park. Come to their Grand Reopening event February 4th from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be special pricing on products and packages. See their ad on page 21.

What do you give a woman who has everything? More of everything! Visit Noble House Jewelry for your special Valentine’s Day gift. See their ad on page 1.

Patricia Thomas of Permanent Face Ink is offering $75 OFF any full-priced procedure, including V-PEEL, throughout the month of February! See her ad on page 11.

Do you love to work out? Do you hate to go alone? Buy one, get one FREE in February at Title Boxing Club. See their ad on page 25 for more information and details.

Positive Thought of the Month

“Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love,
time is eternity.” 
—Henry Van Dyke